Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its first recommendations on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand availability, via measures such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research points to users may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their usual appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
