Under 10% of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major barriers to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present most favorable scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen access, by approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence indicates patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their typical hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
