World Health Organization Sounds Alert Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Medications

Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.

With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.

Per projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and ongoing support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, says the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even in the present most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.

The advice calls on governments and firms to expand availability, via strategies including voluntary licensing.

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

How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate

GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.

People commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Evidence suggests patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal food cravings return.

To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.

Excess weight concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.