Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its first guidance on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via approaches such as patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so people eat less.
People commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence indicates patients may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the treatment, as their usual food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for developing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
