Fewer than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via strategies including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research points to people may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the drug, when their usual food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
