Under one in 10 individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current most favorable case, the supply of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand availability, through approaches such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical appetite return.
Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
