Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present most favorable case, the production of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand access, through measures including patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their normal hunger come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
