The Global Health Body Sounds Concern Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Medications
Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most favorable case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, via strategies like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their typical food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
