World Health Organization Issues Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Weight-Loss Injections
Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to expand access, by measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the treatment, as their normal food cravings resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
