The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Critical Scarcity of Weight-Loss Jabs
Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial advice on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, via approaches such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
The injections mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users consume fewer calories.
People usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence indicates people may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, as their usual hunger come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
