Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to increase access, via strategies like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
People usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the drug, when their usual hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
