Under 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current best projected case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to increase availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, as their usual food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
