Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, via approaches like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people eat less.
Patients commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research points to people may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, when their usual food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
