Less than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and lifelong treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return within a year of stopping the medication, because their usual hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
