🔗 Share this article WHO Raises Concern Over Critical Scarcity of Obesity Medications Under 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the drugs. With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs. Per estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken. "Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the organization. Weight-Loss Drug Shortage Despite the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization. The guideline encourages countries and companies to increase availability, by strategies including voluntary licensing. The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026. The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories. Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs. Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, because their normal appetite return. Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers. Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
Under 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the drugs. With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs. Per estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken. "Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the organization. Weight-Loss Drug Shortage Despite the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization. The guideline encourages countries and companies to increase availability, by strategies including voluntary licensing. The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026. The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories. Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs. Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, because their normal appetite return. Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers. Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.