Less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, through measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their usual food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
