WHO Issues Warning Over Acute Lack of Obesity Medications

Fewer than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the therapies.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.

Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even in the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.

The advice urges governments and firms to widen access, through strategies such as voluntary licensing.

A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Operate

GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.

Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, when their usual appetite resume.

To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.

Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.