Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present best projected case, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase access, by approaches like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, when their normal hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
