Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected case, the production of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen access, via measures such as licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence indicates patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
