Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to expand availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the drug, as their usual food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
