Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen access, via approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, when their typical hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
