Less than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to universal access to the injections that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to increase availability, through strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
These medications replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for contracting diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
