Less than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the drugs.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to universal availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase access, via strategies such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence points to users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
