Under 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to widen access, by measures including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so users eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research points to users may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, as their typical food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
