Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current best projected case, the production of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand availability, via strategies such as patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the medication, as their usual hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
