Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its first advice on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current best projected outlook, the production of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand access, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
These medications replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
