Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it issues its first recommendations on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present best projected case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase availability, by approaches such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
