WHO Issues Concern Over Severe Scarcity of Weight-Loss Medications

Under a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the medications.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.

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

"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.

The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Injections Work

These medications mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people consume fewer calories.

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

Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal food cravings return.

To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.

Obesity concerns people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.