Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the supply of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to expand access, via approaches including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, when their typical food cravings resume.
Being overweight or obese raises your risk for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
