World Health Organization Sounds Alert Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs
Fewer than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and continuous support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand access, via strategies including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the medication, as their typical food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
