WHO Raises Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Weight-Loss Injections
Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand availability, through approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests people may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the treatment, when their typical appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for experiencing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
