World Health Organization Issues Alert Over Severe Lack of Weight-Loss Medications
Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by approaches like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their typical hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
