Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable case, the production of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through strategies like patent sharing.
Exclusive production 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 Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their normal appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
