Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, through measures like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research points to people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
