WHO Sounds Alert Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs

Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.

Considering over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.

According to projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even in the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.

The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via measures such as voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Function

The injections replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.

Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Research indicates patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, when their usual appetite resume.

Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.