Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, via strategies such as licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence suggests patients may see weight return within a year of halting the drug, as their usual appetite return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for contracting health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
