Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase access, by measures like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.
People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the drug, because their normal food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
