World Health Organization Raises Alert Over Severe Lack of Obesity Medications

Fewer than 10% of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies.

Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.

According to forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even under the present best projected case, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase availability, by measures like patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function

These medications mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.

Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the medication, as their usual food cravings resume.

Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.