Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen access, through strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the treatment, because their typical hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
