Fewer than 10% of people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial advice on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
These medications mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies points to people may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, as their normal food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.