Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the present best projected outlook, the production of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches like patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
People usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research points to users may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
