World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Weight-Loss Medications

Under a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.

With more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.

Based on projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even under the present best projected outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.

The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand availability, by approaches including voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Operate

GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.

Individuals typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Evidence points to users may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, as their usual food cravings resume.

Being overweight or obese raises your chance for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.

Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.