Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to expand availability, via measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, as their usual food cravings resume.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
