Under a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to widen access, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, as their typical food cravings resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
