Under 10% of people that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the present most optimistic case, the production of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase availability, by strategies such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the drug, because their usual appetite return.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
