Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the present best projected scenario, the production of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to widen access, by approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, as their usual hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
