World Health Organization Raises Alert Over Critical Scarcity of Weight-Loss Jabs
Fewer than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to expand availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may see weight return within a year of stopping the treatment, when their normal food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.