Fewer than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by strategies such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
These medications mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research suggests users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for contracting diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
