The Global Health Body Issues Warning Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications
Fewer than 10% of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present best projected case, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
