World Health Organization Sounds Alert Over Critical Scarcity of Weight-Loss Jabs
Less than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected outlook, the supply of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand availability, through measures like voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Patients typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research suggests patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
