Less than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to expand access, by measures including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence indicates people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the treatment, when their normal appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
