Under one in 10 individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand availability, through approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
These medications imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research points to users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their usual hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
