Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it publishes its inaugural advice on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen availability, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
