World Health Organization Issues Alert Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Medications

Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the drugs.

With more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

According to projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.

The guideline calls on countries and companies to widen availability, by strategies like voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work

These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.

Patients usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Studies suggests users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their usual food cravings resume.

Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.

Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.