Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and lifelong treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to universal availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable case, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, as their normal food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
