The Global Health Body Raises Concern Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Injections

Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.

Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.

Per estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.

The guideline urges countries and companies to widen access, through measures such as licensing agreements.

A patent on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate

GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.

People commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Evidence points to people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their normal appetite come back.

To be carrying excess weight elevates your risk for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.