Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand availability, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the treatment, when their normal appetite return.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
