The Global Health Body Issues Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Weight-Loss Medications

Under 10% of people that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.

Considering over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even under the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.

The advice urges countries and companies to widen availability, by measures such as licensing agreements.

A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work

The injections replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.

Individuals commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the drug, when their normal hunger come back.

Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.

Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.