World Health Organization Sounds Warning Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications
Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial guidance on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to universal availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to expand availability, through measures including voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
