Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages governments and firms to increase availability, via approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, as their usual food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.