Less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.
With over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable case, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to expand access, via approaches such as licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests patients may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical hunger return.
To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
