Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable case, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, by measures such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the medication, when their typical food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
