Less than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and ongoing care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase access, by measures like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance satiety so people eat less.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to people may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the treatment, because their usual hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
