Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its first advice on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable scenario, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase availability, by measures including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence points to people may see weight return within a year of stopping the medication, as their normal hunger resume.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
