The Global Health Body Sounds Warning Over Acute Scarcity of Weight-Loss Medications
Under one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase access, through strategies including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests patients may see weight return after a year of halting the treatment, as their typical hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.