Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present best projected case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, by measures such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users consume fewer calories.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
