Under 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first recommendations on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic case, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to widen availability, by approaches including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
The injections imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to patients may see weight return after a year of halting the drug, because their normal appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
