Under a tenth of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most favorable case, the production of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand access, through strategies such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users eat less.
Individuals usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their normal appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your risk for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
