Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its first guidance on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the production of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to increase access, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests patients may see weight return after a year of halting the treatment, when their normal appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight raises your chance for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
