The Global Health Body Issues Warning Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Medications
Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand availability, via approaches including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests users may see weight return after a year of stopping the treatment, because their normal food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
