Fewer than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic case, the supply of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen access, via strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research points to patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
