Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand access, by strategies including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the drug, because their typical appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
