Under 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges countries and companies to increase access, via strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
