Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its first guidance on the drugs.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and ongoing care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the present most favorable outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to widen availability, via strategies including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the medication, when their typical appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
