World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Medications

Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.

With over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.

Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

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

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, explains the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even under the current most favorable scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The advice urges countries and companies to increase access, through measures like licensing agreements.

A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Work

The injections imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.

People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Evidence suggests users may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the drug, as their typical food cravings return.

Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.