The Global Health Body Issues Alert Over Critical Lack of Obesity Jabs
Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and continuous support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The guideline urges governments and firms to widen availability, through approaches such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, because their usual appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
