Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its first guidance on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to universal access to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via strategies such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, as their usual food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
