The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Severe Lack of Obesity Medications

Under 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the medications.

With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and continuous care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the body.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Even in the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.

The guideline calls on countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches like patent sharing.

A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work

The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.

Patients commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.

Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the treatment, as their typical hunger return.

Being overweight or obese raises your risk for contracting medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.

Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.