Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and ongoing care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the supply of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by approaches including patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
The injections mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so users eat less.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their usual food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for contracting health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
