The Global Health Body Sounds Warning Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs

Less than 10% of people that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.

Given more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.

Per projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.

The guideline calls on governments and firms to widen access, through strategies including licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Function

The injections imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.

People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Evidence points to people may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the drug, as their typical food cravings resume.

Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.

Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.