Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to expand access, via measures including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, because their typical appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
