Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
