Under a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its first recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to widen access, by measures like licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, when their usual hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
