The Global Health Body Sounds Concern Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Medications

Under one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the medications.

Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.

Per projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even under the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.

The recommendation encourages countries and companies to increase access, by measures including licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Drugs Function

The injections mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals eat less.

Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.

Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the medication, as their typical appetite come back.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.

Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.