The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Critical Lack of Obesity Injections
Less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it releases its first advice on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, through strategies like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
The injections imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests users may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, as their usual appetite return.
Being overweight or obese raises your chance for developing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
