Fewer than a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people reduce food intake.
People typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their usual hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
