Under a tenth of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase availability, by measures such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research indicates patients may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, because their normal hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
