World Health Organization Issues Concern Over Severe Scarcity of Weight-Loss Medications

Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the medications.

Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.

According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even under the present best projected outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.

The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by strategies like patent sharing.

A patent on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Work

The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.

Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Research suggests users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, as their normal hunger resume.

To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for contracting diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.