Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via measures such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Patients usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the medication, as their normal hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for contracting diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
