🔗 Share this article World Health Organization Raises Warning Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the medications. With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments. According to forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken. "The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the agency. GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis Even under the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO. The advice calls on countries and companies to expand availability, by strategies including voluntary licensing. A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026. The Way Obesity Jabs Operate The injections imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake. People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections. Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the drug, as their normal hunger return. Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies. Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the medications. With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments. According to forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken. "The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the agency. GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis Even under the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO. The advice calls on countries and companies to expand availability, by strategies including voluntary licensing. A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026. The Way Obesity Jabs Operate The injections imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake. People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections. Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the drug, as their normal hunger return. Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies. Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.