The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications

Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.

Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

Per forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.

The recommendation encourages countries and companies to widen access, by strategies like patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Work

The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.

Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Evidence indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the medication, because their normal food cravings return.

To be overweight or obese increases your chance for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.