Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to widen access, by approaches like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their normal hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
