Fewer than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand access, by approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their normal appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
