Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase availability, through strategies including voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, because their typical food cravings resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
