🔗 Share this article The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Acute Lack of Obesity Medications Under 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies. Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication. Based on estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken. "Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and continuous treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the agency. GLP-1 Therapy Shortage Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO. The advice encourages countries and companies to widen availability, by strategies including patent sharing. The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026. The Way Obesity Drugs Operate These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories. People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections. Studies suggests patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, as their usual hunger resume. To be overweight or obese raises your chance for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers. Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
Under 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies. Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication. Based on estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken. "Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and continuous treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the agency. GLP-1 Therapy Shortage Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO. The advice encourages countries and companies to widen availability, by strategies including patent sharing. The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026. The Way Obesity Drugs Operate These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories. People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections. Studies suggests patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, as their usual hunger resume. To be overweight or obese raises your chance for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers. Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.