Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major barriers to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to increase access, via strategies including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies points to users may see weight return a year later of stopping the medication, when their typical food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
