Less than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to universal availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand availability, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates users may see weight return after a year of halting the medication, as their usual appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
