Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current best projected case, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand access, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the treatment, because their typical hunger return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
