WHO Raises Warning Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs
Less than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its first recommendations on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and continuous treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present best projected outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice calls on governments and firms to widen availability, by strategies such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.
People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies suggests users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
