World Health Organization Raises Concern Over Critical Scarcity of Obesity Jabs
Under a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it releases its first advice on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, via measures including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies points to people may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, when their typical hunger return.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.