Less than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by strategies such as licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their normal food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
