Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and continuous support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present most favorable scenario, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand availability, via strategies such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Patients usually start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their usual food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
