Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to expand access, through measures including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so users eat less.
Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may see weight return a year later of stopping the medication, when their typical food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
