Less than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests users may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the treatment, because their typical food cravings resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
