Under 10% of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its first recommendations on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present most favorable case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to widen availability, by strategies including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research points to people may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, as their typical hunger return.
To be overweight or obese raises your likelihood for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
