The Global Health Body Sounds Warning Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs

Fewer than 10% of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its initial advice on the medications.

With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.

Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Despite the present most favorable outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.

The advice urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, through approaches like licensing agreements.

A patent on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function

These medications mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.

People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.

Research points to users may see weight return a year later of halting the medication, because their normal hunger resume.

Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.