World Health Organization Raises Warning Over Severe Lack of Obesity Medications

Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.

With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.

Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the organization.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand availability, through strategies like voluntary licensing.

A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.

How Obesity Jabs Function

GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people eat less.

People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, as their typical appetite resume.

Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.

Excess weight affects people in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.