WHO Raises Concern Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the medications.

With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.

Per projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.

The guideline urges governments and firms to widen availability, via measures including licensing agreements.

A patent on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate

GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.

Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, as their usual hunger return.

Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.

Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.