World Health Organization Raises Concern Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications

Under 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the therapies.

Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.

Based on estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even in the current most favorable scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.

The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through measures such as voluntary licensing.

A patent on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Drugs Function

These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so people eat less.

Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Studies indicates users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite return.

Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.