World Health Organization Raises Warning Over Acute Lack of Obesity Jabs

Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its first advice on the drugs.

Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.

According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.

The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand access, via strategies such as patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.

Patients commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Evidence suggests people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their typical food cravings return.

To be overweight or obese raises your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.