World Health Organization Sounds Alert Over Severe Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs

Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.

Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.

Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to universal access to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, explains the agency.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Even under the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The advice urges governments and firms to increase availability, through approaches including licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Work

GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.

People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Studies points to people may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, when their normal hunger come back.

To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.

Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.