Less than 10% of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to widen availability, through approaches including patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.
People commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for contracting health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
