World Health Organization Sounds Warning Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs

Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its first advice on the drugs.

Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.

Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Despite the current best projected outlook, the production of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.

The guideline calls on countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Drugs Function

These medications replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.

Patients typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Studies suggests people may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal hunger resume.

To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.

Obesity concerns people in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.