The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications

Fewer than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.

Per forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even under the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.

The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate

The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.

Patients typically start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.

Studies suggests patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the medication, because their usual appetite resume.

To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.

Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.