The Global Health Body Issues Alert Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Jabs
Fewer than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the present best projected outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to expand availability, by approaches including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
The injections imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the medication, as their usual appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
