Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the production of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice calls on countries and companies to increase availability, via approaches like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
