Less than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current best projected case, the production of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
People usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, when their typical appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
