Less than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its first advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal access to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand access, through measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research points to users may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
