The Global Health Body Sounds Alert Over Acute Shortage of Obesity Medications

Under one in 10 individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.

Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.

According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Despite the current most favorable outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.

The advice encourages countries and companies to increase access, through strategies including patent sharing.

A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.

Patients usually start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, when their usual appetite come back.

Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.