Under a tenth of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its first guidance on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages governments and firms to expand access, via strategies including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates users may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their normal appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
