World Health Organization Raises Concern Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Medications
Under a tenth of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to expand access, via approaches like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
