Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its first recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical food cravings come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
