Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its first advice on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic case, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen access, through strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research indicates users may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the medication, because their usual appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
