Less than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the present most optimistic case, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase availability, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the drug, because their typical food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
