Under 10% of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through strategies like voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to patients may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, because their typical appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
