Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, by approaches such as patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the drug, when their normal food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
