Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the medications.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase access, through measures including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
The injections replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research points to users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, as their normal appetite resume.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
