Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via approaches including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies points to people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
