Under a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and lifelong support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase availability, via approaches such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so users eat less.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may see weight return after a year of stopping the treatment, when their normal hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
