Under a tenth of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, by strategies including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the treatment, because their usual appetite return.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
