🔗 Share this article World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Critical Scarcity of Obesity Medications Less than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies. Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication. Per projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken. "Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the agency. GLP-1 Therapy Shortage Even in the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO. The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by measures such as patent sharing. A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026. The Way Obesity Drugs Work GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake. People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections. Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, when their normal appetite come back. To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers. Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
Less than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies. Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication. Per projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken. "Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the agency. GLP-1 Therapy Shortage Even in the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO. The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by measures such as patent sharing. A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026. The Way Obesity Drugs Work GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake. People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections. Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, when their normal appetite come back. To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers. Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.