Under 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the present most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to widen access, via measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may see weight return after a year of halting the drug, as their usual appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for contracting diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
