Fewer than 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first advice on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to increase availability, through approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their typical appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
