Fewer than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its initial recommendations on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen access, by approaches including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for developing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
