WHO Raises Alert Over Severe Lack of Obesity Medications

Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the medications.

Given over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, notes the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even under the current best projected outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The advice urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by strategies such as patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate

GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals eat less.

Individuals commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, as their usual hunger come back.

To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.