The Global Health Body Raises Concern Over Critical Lack of Obesity Injections

Fewer than a tenth of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.

Given over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.

According to estimates, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, notes the agency.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Despite the current best projected case, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand access, by approaches like voluntary licensing.

A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Function

GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.

Patients typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Evidence indicates patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal hunger resume.

Being overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.