The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Critical Scarcity of Obesity Medications
Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its first advice on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected scenario, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase access, by approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their usual hunger resume.
To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
