Fewer than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its inaugural guidance on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand availability, by strategies such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research points to users may see weight return within a year of stopping the treatment, because their typical food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
