Less than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies indicates patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the treatment, as their typical food cravings come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
