Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, through measures including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their typical appetite come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
