Under a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through strategies including patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research indicates patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
