Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and continuous support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most favorable scenario, the supply of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase availability, via approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so users eat less.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies points to people may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their normal appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
