Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its first recommendations on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand access, through strategies such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return within a year of stopping the medication, because their usual hunger come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
