Fewer than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through measures such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal hunger resume.
To be overweight or obese raises your likelihood for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
