Fewer than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by approaches like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
The injections imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals eat less.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research points to people may see weight return a year later of halting the medication, when their typical food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
