Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The advice calls on governments and firms to expand availability, through approaches like patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, as their typical food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
