Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected scenario, the supply of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand availability, via strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, as their usual hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
