WHO Sounds Concern Over Severe Lack of Obesity Medications
Fewer than a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad access to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present best projected case, the production of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand access, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
