Under 10% of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the current best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to widen access, via strategies such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates people may see weight return within a year of stopping the medication, because their typical food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
