Less than 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand access, via approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, when their usual hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
