Fewer than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase availability, through approaches such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their usual food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
