The Global Health Body Issues Warning Over Acute Scarcity of Obesity Medications
Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial recommendations on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic case, the production of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to widen availability, by strategies like voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their normal food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
