The Global Health Body Raises Warning Over Acute Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Fewer than one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial recommendations on the medications.

With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.

According to forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and continuous care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, via strategies including patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.

How Obesity Jabs Operate

These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.

Patients usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Research points to patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their normal food cravings come back.

Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for contracting health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.

Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.