Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its first recommendations on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and continuous support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to widen access, through strategies including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
The injections replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance satiety so people eat less.
Patients commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests patients may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, when their usual food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
