WHO Raises Warning Over Severe Lack of Obesity Jabs

Less than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its first guidance on the drugs.

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

Per projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, notes the body.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Even in the present best projected outlook, the production of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.

The guideline calls on governments and firms to widen access, via measures like licensing agreements.

A patent on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Work

These medications mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.

People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the drug, as their normal appetite come back.

Being overweight or obese raises your chance for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.

Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.