Less than 10% of people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
Patients usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the drug, because their usual hunger return.
To be overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
