World Health Organization Raises Warning Over Acute Shortage of Obesity Medications

Under one in 10 people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.

With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.

Per forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity

Despite the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.

The advice urges countries and companies to widen access, through approaches including voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Work

GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.

Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Evidence points to people may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the medication, when their usual appetite come back.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.

Excess weight affects people in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.