World Health Organization Issues Alert Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications
Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, by measures like voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their usual appetite come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
