Less than 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its first recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, via strategies including patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the medication, as their normal appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
