Less than one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its first guidance on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current best projected scenario, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase access, via approaches such as licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
