The Global Health Body Issues Warning Over Severe Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs
Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its first guidance on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and ongoing support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic case, the production of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase access, through measures like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, because their typical hunger resume.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
