Under one in 10 people that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial recommendations on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to universal availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by measures such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the medication, because their normal hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
