Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges governments and firms to expand availability, via strategies such as patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates patients may see weight return within a year of halting the drug, when their usual appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
