Under a tenth of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by measures like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research points to people may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, when their usual hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
