Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen access, by approaches like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the treatment, as their usual hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
