The Global Health Body Issues Concern Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Medications

Under a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.

With over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.

Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, says the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even in the present best projected outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.

The advice urges nations and manufacturers to widen access, by approaches like patent sharing.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate

The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.

Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Studies suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their typical hunger return.

Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.

Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.