Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand availability, by approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence points to users may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their usual hunger come back.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
