Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its first recommendations on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to increase availability, through strategies including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, because their usual food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
