Less than a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by measures such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, because their normal appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for contracting medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
