Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and continuous support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to expand availability, via approaches such as licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research points to users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their typical hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
