WHO Raises Concern Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.

With over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.

According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even under the current best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.

The advice encourages countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate

The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so people eat less.

People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.

Evidence points to users may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the treatment, as their normal hunger return.

To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.

Excess weight concerns people in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.