The Global Health Body Sounds Alert Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections
Less than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic scenario, the production of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline urges governments and firms to expand access, via approaches like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their normal food cravings resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
