WHO Raises Concern Over Critical Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its first guidance on the drugs.

Given more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.

Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, notes the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity

Even under the present best projected case, the production of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.

The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen access, through strategies including licensing agreements.

A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Operate

The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.

Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Research indicates people may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the treatment, as their usual hunger resume.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.

Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.