World Health Organization Raises Warning Over Severe Scarcity of Weight-Loss Jabs
Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by measures including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence suggests users may see weight return after a year of halting the treatment, because their typical appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.