Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its initial recommendations on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, by approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
These medications replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so users eat less.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
