World Health Organization Sounds Warning Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Medications
Less than 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through approaches such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal appetite return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
