The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs

Under one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the therapies.

Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

Per projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even in the present most optimistic case, the production of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.

The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand access, via measures including patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work

The injections imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so users eat less.

Patients typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Evidence points to users may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the treatment, because their typical appetite return.

Being overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.

Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.