Less than 10% of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first recommendations on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the medication, because their usual appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
