World Health Organization Issues Warning Over Acute Shortage of Obesity Medications

Fewer than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its first advice on the drugs.

Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.

According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, explains the agency.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.

The guideline urges countries and companies to expand availability, by strategies including patent sharing.

A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Drugs Work

The injections imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.

Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Evidence indicates people may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, when their usual hunger return.

Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.