Fewer than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to expand access, through strategies such as licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the treatment, because their normal appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
