WHO Issues Warning Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Medications

Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural guidance on the medications.

Given over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.

According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.

The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via strategies like patent sharing.

A patent on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Function

The injections replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.

People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Research indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the medication, as their normal hunger resume.

Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.

Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.