The World Health Organization has warned that a shortage of 'breakthrough' weight loss drugs such as Mounjaro will hinder efforts to combat soaring obesity rates globally. In a new statement, the WHO urged countries to make these medications more accessible and called on pharmaceutical companies to lower prices and expand production.
The drugs, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies, have proven effective in helping people lose weight and represent 'a new chapter' in treating obesity and related diseases, the WHO said. However, current global production capacity means only about 100 million people can receive them—just 10% of the 1 billion who could benefit.
The WHO warned that the number of obese people is set to double from 1 billion to 2 billion by 2030, with global costs reaching $3 trillion. It stressed that while eligible adults should generally have access to these drugs, pregnant women should not use them.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, said: 'While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms.' The WHO also noted that the drugs must be accompanied by healthier eating, exercise, and lifestyle counselling.
Three major barriers must be overcome: lack of production capacity, availability and affordability; health systems' preparedness; and universal access to healthcare. Katherine Jenner of the Obesity Health Alliance cautioned: 'Weight loss drugs have an important role to play, but they are not a silver bullet... we cannot medicate two-thirds of the population indefinitely.'
