Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to expand availability, through approaches like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests people may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the medication, when their usual appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
