Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and ongoing care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present best projected outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, by measures like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
