Fewer than a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its first advice on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current best projected case, the production of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand availability, via strategies including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
These medications mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the drug, as their typical hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
