The Global Health Body Sounds Warning Over Severe Scarcity of Weight-Loss Medications
Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the production of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to increase availability, through measures including patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, when their typical appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
