Less than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the current best projected scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand availability, through strategies such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the medication, as their normal food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
