Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and continuous treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to increase availability, via strategies such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the drug, because their usual food cravings resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
