Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift significant weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the supply of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to widen access, by measures like licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
People commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the medication, as their normal food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for developing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
