Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that only a small number of people can access obesity medications like Wegovy. The WHO highlights the need for more widespread and equitable access to these drugs, which are meant to help manage obesity, a growing global health issue.
Key Facts
- The WHO states fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from obesity medications can access them.
- Over one billion people worldwide are currently obese, with numbers expected to reach over two billion by 2030 without intervention.
- High costs and limited production are major obstacles to accessing these medications globally.
- The WHO classifies obesity as a chronic disease requiring comprehensive care, including medications, diet, and exercise.
- GLP-1 medications, known as obesity jabs, help people eat less by mimicking a natural hormone to slow digestion and reduce appetite.
- WHO urges countries to improve access to these medications with strategies like voluntary licensing.
- The core ingredient in some obesity medications, semaglutide, will soon see its patent expire, allowing more affordable versions to be made.
