Under 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and continuous care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the present most favorable scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their usual food cravings resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
