Under a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The guideline urges countries and companies to widen availability, via measures such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research indicates people may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, because their usual hunger return.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
