Under 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its first advice on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen availability, via measures including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase satiety so users eat less.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the medication, when their typical appetite return.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
