Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to expand availability, by measures such as patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the drug, because their normal food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
