Less than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected outlook, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, via measures like patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people eat less.
People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the medication, when their normal food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
