WHO Issues Warning Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Medications
Less than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline urges countries and companies to increase availability, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the treatment, as their usual hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.