Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first recommendations on the therapies.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand availability, via strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the medication, as their usual hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
