WHO Issues Alert Over Acute Lack of Obesity Jabs
Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase access, via strategies including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the medication, because their typical appetite return.
To be overweight or obese raises your risk for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.