Under a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to broad availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice encourages countries and companies to increase availability, via measures including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, as their normal appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
