Under one in 10 individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current best projected case, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to widen access, via measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people eat less.
People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the drug, because their typical food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
