Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to universal availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic case, the production of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand availability, via strategies like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies points to users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical food cravings resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
