Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to widen access, via measures including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their typical food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
