Fewer than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and continuous care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the present best projected scenario, 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 recommendation calls on governments and firms to expand access, by approaches such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
