WHO Raises Concern Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections
Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and continuous treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present best projected outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase availability, by strategies like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so people eat less.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the medication, as their normal food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
