Fewer than 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected scenario, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase availability, via measures such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates people may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, as their usual hunger return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
