Fewer than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the current best projected case, the supply of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through approaches like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
