WHO Sounds Concern Over Severe Lack of Weight-Loss Injections
Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice encourages governments and firms to expand availability, through strategies like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
These medications replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests people may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, as their normal food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
