Under a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic case, the production of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via strategies such as patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, when their typical food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
