Under 10% of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to universal access to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to expand access, by approaches like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies points to patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
