Less than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its first recommendations on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected case, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline urges governments and firms to widen availability, via measures including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
The injections replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the medication, because their typical food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
