Under a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase availability, by strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research indicates people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, because their normal hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
