Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase access, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people eat less.
People usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, because their typical appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for developing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
