The Global Health Body Raises Concern Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Medications

Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.

Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.

According to forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad access to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even in the present best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.

The guideline urges governments and firms to expand access, via strategies including licensing agreements.

A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Drugs Operate

These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.

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

Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the drug, as their typical hunger come back.

Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.

Obesity affects individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.