Under 10% of people who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift significant body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable case, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand access, via approaches such as patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, when their usual food cravings resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
