WHO Sounds Concern Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Medications
Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the current best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, through measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people eat less.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, as their normal hunger resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
