Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, through strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, when their typical food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
