Under a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to increase access, through strategies like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the drug, as their normal food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
