Less than 10% of people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic case, the production of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice urges governments and firms to increase access, through strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
These medications mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals eat less.
Patients typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their normal hunger return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
