Less than 10% of people that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and continuous care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by strategies like licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so people eat less.
Patients typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence points to patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, when their usual appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
