Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic case, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen access, by measures like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Patients typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence points to users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
