Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic case, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to widen availability, via approaches like patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so users eat less.
People commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, when their typical appetite come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
