WHO Raises Concern Over Acute Shortage of Obesity Jabs
Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first recommendations on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to widen access, through measures such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests people may see weight return a year later of stopping the medication, because their normal food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
