The Global Health Body Sounds Alert Over Acute Lack of Obesity Jabs
Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand availability, via strategies such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, as their typical hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
