Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the supply of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen access, via strategies such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical appetite return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
