WHO Raises Warning Over Critical Lack of Obesity Jabs

Less than one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.

Given over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Per forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, via measures including voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Work

These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.

People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the drug, because their typical hunger resume.

Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.

Obesity affects people in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.