Under a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its first guidance on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to widen access, by approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.
People commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, because their usual hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
