Major Potential, Limited Access
The World Health Organization says medications such as Mounjaro and other GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are transforming how health systems can treat obesity, but warned that only a fraction of those who need them can currently receive treatment. According to the WHO, global production capacity is sufficient for roughly 100 million people — just 10% of the one billion adults who could benefit from the therapies.
Obesity rates are projected to double from one billion to two billion by 2030, with global economic costs expected to reach three trillion dollars. The agency urged governments to expand access, noting that while eligible adults should be able to obtain the medications, they should not be used during pregnancy.
“A New Chapter” in Treating a Chronic Disease
In a special communication published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, WHO leaders described GLP-1 therapies as more than a clinical breakthrough. They said the drugs signify a shift in how obesity is viewed: not as a lifestyle issue, but as a chronic, preventable and treatable condition.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the medications could help millions reduce the risks associated with obesity, including heart attacks, strokes, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea and kidney disease. Still, WHO cautioned that the drugs must be used as part of broader lifestyle interventions involving diet, physical activity and behavioral support.
Pricing and Production Barriers
The WHO called on pharmaceutical manufacturers to increase supply and lower prices for medications such as Mounjaro and Ozempic. Without major changes, it warned, people in low-income nations are likely to be left behind.
Three major obstacles stand in the way of equitable access: limited manufacturing capacity and high prices, gaps in health-system readiness, and lack of universal coverage. The organization said overcoming these issues is essential to ensure the medications reach all patients who could benefit.
No “Silver Bullet,” Experts Warn
Health advocates stress that although GLP-1s can be effective, they are not a stand-alone solution. Katherine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, noted that access in the UK remains restricted, supplies are inconsistent and treatment is limited to targeted groups within the National Health Service.
Jenner added that long-term outcomes remain a concern because many people regain weight after stopping the medications. “We cannot medicate two-thirds of the population indefinitely,” she said, underscoring the need for comprehensive support alongside drug therapy.