Under a tenth of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to increase access, by measures including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the drug, as their typical hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
