The Global Health Body Raises Warning Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications
Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable scenario, the production of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand availability, by strategies including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their normal appetite come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
