Fewer than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial guidance on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current best projected scenario, the supply of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase access, by measures like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, when their typical food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
