The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs
Under one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected case, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through measures including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their typical appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for contracting diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.