Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through approaches like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, when their normal hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
