Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic case, the production of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through strategies such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, when their typical appetite come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
