Less than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and lifelong support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to widen availability, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the drug, when their usual food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
