Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to widen availability, through approaches such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the medication, as their typical hunger resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
