Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand availability, via approaches including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Individuals usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical appetite resume.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.