Less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to expand availability, through strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal appetite return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
