WHO Raises Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Weight-Loss Medications

Under one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and continuous treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, notes the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity

Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.

The advice calls on countries and companies to widen availability, via measures like voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.

How Obesity Jabs Function

GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.

Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the treatment, as their usual appetite return.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.

Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.