WHO Issues Warning Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Medications

Less than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the therapies.

Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.

According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and lifelong support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the organization.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Despite the current best projected case, the supply of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.

The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via approaches like voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Function

GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people eat less.

People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Evidence points to users may see weight return after a year of stopping the treatment, as their typical appetite resume.

To be overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.

Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.