Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to expand access, by measures like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the drug, because their normal hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese raises your likelihood for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
