Less than a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its first recommendations on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by measures like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
