The Global Health Body Issues Alert Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Medications
Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and ongoing care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via strategies like voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, as their usual appetite come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
