Less than one in 10 patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase access, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
Individuals usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, when their normal appetite return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
