The Global Health Body Issues Concern Over Severe Lack of Obesity Injections

Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the drugs.

Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.

According to estimates, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the agency.

Skinny Jab Supply Crisis

Even in the current most favorable case, the supply of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.

The advice encourages countries and companies to increase access, via strategies such as patent sharing.

A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate

These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.

Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.

Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the drug, when their usual appetite return.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.

Obesity impacts people in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.