The Global Health Body Sounds Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and continuous care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity

Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.

The recommendation encourages governments and firms to increase access, by measures like licensing agreements.

A patent on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Operate

These medications replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals eat less.

People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Evidence points to people may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the drug, as their usual appetite return.

Being overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.