WHO Raises Concern Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.

Given over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.

Per projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even under the present best projected scenario, the production of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.

The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand availability, through strategies like licensing agreements.

A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate

The injections mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people eat less.

Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the medication, because their typical hunger return.

To be overweight or obese raises your risk for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.