Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current best projected scenario, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand availability, via measures including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research indicates users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the treatment, when their usual appetite resume.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
