WHO Raises Warning Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications

Less than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its first guidance on the drugs.

Given over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

According to forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even under the present most favorable scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.

The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through approaches including patent sharing.

A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Drugs Operate

The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.

Individuals usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Studies suggests patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, when their typical appetite return.

To be overweight or obese raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.