🔗 Share this article WHO Issues Warning Over Critical Scarcity of Weight-Loss Jabs Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies. Given over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs. Based on estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention. "Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the body. Skinny Jab Shortage Even in the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization. The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, by approaches including licensing agreements. Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026. How Weight-Loss Jabs Work The injections replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less. Patients typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs. Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the medication, as their typical hunger return. Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers. Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies. Given over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs. Based on estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention. "Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the body. Skinny Jab Shortage Even in the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization. The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, by approaches including licensing agreements. Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026. How Weight-Loss Jabs Work The injections replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less. Patients typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs. Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the medication, as their typical hunger return. Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers. Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.