World Health Organization Sounds Warning Over Severe Scarcity of Weight-Loss Injections
Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most favorable case, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to increase access, via measures like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users eat less.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their typical hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for contracting diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.