Fewer than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and continuous care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to increase access, via measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to users may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, when their usual food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
