WHO Issues Concern Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications
Fewer than one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages governments and firms to increase availability, by measures including patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their typical appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
