WHO Sounds Concern Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs
Fewer than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the production of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen availability, by measures including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the drug, because their usual food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese raises your chance for contracting diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
