Under a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to increase availability, through measures such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, when their usual food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
