Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the present best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.
People usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their usual hunger return.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
