WHO Issues Alert Over Critical Scarcity of Weight-Loss Medications

Less than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.

Given more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the agency.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Even in the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.

The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand access, by measures including licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Function

GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so users eat less.

People commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Studies points to people may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the drug, when their normal appetite resume.

To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.

Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.