The Global Health Body Raises Concern Over Severe Lack of Obesity Medications

Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the therapies.

With more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.

Based on estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, notes the body.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Even under the present best projected outlook, the production of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.

The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, through approaches such as patent sharing.

A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users eat less.

Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Evidence points to patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the medication, as their typical appetite come back.

Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.

Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.