Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic case, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to expand access, through measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people eat less.
People usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research indicates patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their normal appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
