Fewer than a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its first advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
The injections replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people eat less.
People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates patients may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the medication, because their usual hunger come back.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
