Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable case, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand availability, through measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, when their usual appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
