Less than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion will 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 addressed with thorough and continuous treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand access, by strategies including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, when their normal appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
