World Health Organization Raises Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Obesity Medications
Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase availability, via measures including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research suggests patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual appetite resume.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
