WHO Issues Concern Over Acute Shortage of Obesity Medications
Less than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the drugs.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic case, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand availability, through measures including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, when their usual hunger come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
