Under a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to expand access, through approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their typical hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
