Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The advice urges countries and companies to widen availability, through measures including voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research points to users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, as their typical appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
