Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to widen availability, by approaches including patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies suggests users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their usual hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
