Fewer than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to widen availability, through approaches such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
The injections imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research points to people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their usual hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for contracting health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
