WHO Sounds Alert Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Medications

Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the drugs.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.

Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Despite the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.

The advice urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, by approaches such as patent sharing.

A patent on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Function

These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.

People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Evidence indicates people may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, because their normal food cravings come back.

To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.