Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the present best projected outlook, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen access, by approaches such as patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.
People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the drug, as their typical hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
