Under a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the present best projected scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, via approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
Patients typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the treatment, when their usual appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
