Less than one in 10 people that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase access, by strategies including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their normal appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for contracting diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
