Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to widen access, via measures such as patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.