The Global Health Body Issues Concern Over Acute Lack of Obesity Medications
Less than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to expand access, by strategies like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their typical appetite return.
Being overweight or obese raises your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
