Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and lifelong support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to widen availability, via measures including voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the drug, as their typical hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for contracting diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
