Under 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the treatment, when their normal food cravings come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your chance for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
