The Global Health Body Raises Concern Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Medications
Fewer than a tenth of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and ongoing care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present most favorable case, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via measures like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
The injections replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
