Under one in 10 people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase access, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the medication, because their normal food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
