Fewer than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural advice on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice urges governments and firms to increase access, through strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so people eat less.
People usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, when their typical appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
