WHO Sounds Alert Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs

Under one in 10 individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the drugs.

With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.

According to forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Despite the present best projected outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.

The guideline calls on countries and companies to widen access, through measures like licensing agreements.

A patent on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Drugs Work

GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users eat less.

People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Evidence points to users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their usual food cravings resume.

Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.

Obesity concerns people in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.