The Global Health Body Sounds Alert Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Medications
Fewer than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase access, via strategies such as patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
The injections replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so people eat less.
People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical hunger resume.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
