World Health Organization Raises Alert Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Less than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.

With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the agency.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.

The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, through measures such as voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Function

GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.

People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical hunger return.

Being overweight or obese raises your chance for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.