WHO Raises Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Weight-Loss Medications
Fewer than 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and continuous treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their usual hunger return.
To be overweight or obese raises your likelihood for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
