World Health Organization Raises Concern Over Acute Lack of Obesity Jabs

Fewer than 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.

With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.

Per projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the organization.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Even in the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.

The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen access, through approaches including patent sharing.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Function

GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.

People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Research suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, when their usual food cravings return.

Being overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.

Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.