Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, through approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people eat less.
Patients typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research indicates users may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the treatment, as their normal hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
