Under one in 10 individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad access to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand availability, by measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
Patients typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal food cravings resume.
To be overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
