The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs
Fewer than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase availability, by approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, because their usual hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
