Under a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it issues its initial advice on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and ongoing care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand access, by measures such as licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
