Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, because their typical appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
