The Global Health Body Raises Concern Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Jabs
Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand access, via strategies such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so users eat less.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the medication, when their usual appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese raises your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
