Under one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial recommendations on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges governments and firms to expand access, by measures like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research suggests people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their usual food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
