Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via measures including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
The injections imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.
People commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research points to people may see weight return within a year of stopping the medication, as their typical appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
