World Health Organization Issues Concern Over Acute Lack of Obesity Injections
Less than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, through strategies such as licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
