Under one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its first recommendations on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and continuous treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to expand access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their usual food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
