Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its first recommendations on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present best projected case, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase access, via strategies including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their typical food cravings come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
