Fewer than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase availability, via measures like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their typical food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
