Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first recommendations on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current best projected scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to increase access, via approaches such as licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may see weight return after a year of stopping the treatment, as their usual food cravings resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
