World Health Organization Sounds Alert Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs
Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it issues its first advice on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to increase availability, via measures including patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the treatment, because their normal food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
