Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase access, via measures including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their usual appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight raises your chance for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
