Less than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the medication, as their typical hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
