Under one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its first advice on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to increase access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical appetite return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
