The Global Health Body Issues Warning Over Acute Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.

With over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.

Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity

Even in the current best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.

The advice urges governments and firms to widen availability, by measures like voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work

The injections mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.

Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the medication, when their usual appetite resume.

Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.

Obesity affects people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.