Under one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase availability, via approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates people may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, as their normal hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
