The Global Health Body Sounds Warning Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Medications
Less than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, via measures such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the medication, as their normal food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.