Under a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it releases its first recommendations on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase access, by measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the drug, because their usual food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
