World Health Organization Raises Warning Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the medications.

With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can help people shift significant weight, says the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even under the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.

The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.

A patent on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Drugs Work

The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.

People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Evidence indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their usual appetite return.

Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.

Excess weight affects people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.