WHO Sounds Alert Over Acute Scarcity of Weight-Loss Injections
Less than one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, via measures including patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their typical appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
