World Health Organization Issues Concern Over Severe Lack of Obesity Medications

Under 10% of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its first guidance on the therapies.

Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.

Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even in the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.

The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by approaches like voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work

These medications imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.

People commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Research indicates people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the medication, because their usual appetite resume.

Being carrying excess weight increases your chance for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.