World Health Organization Issues Warning Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs
Less than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it issues its first guidance on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to widen access, through measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to users may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the treatment, because their normal appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
