Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the medications.
With over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the current best projected case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to increase availability, through strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to users may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the treatment, as their normal hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
