WHO Raises Alert Over Acute Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Under a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the medications.

Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.

According to estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the organization.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Even under the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.

The advice urges countries and companies to expand access, by measures like licensing agreements.

A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.

Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the treatment, as their typical appetite return.

Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.

Obesity impacts people in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.