Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected case, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via strategies like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
The injections replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users eat less.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, as their normal food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
