Under one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand availability, via measures such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the treatment, because their usual food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
