Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand access, via strategies including voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Patients usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence indicates patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the treatment, because their usual food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
