🔗 Share this article WHO Raises Alert Over Critical Lack of Obesity Jabs Under one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the therapies. Considering over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments. Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken. "The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the agency. GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis Even under the current most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO. The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase access, through approaches such as patent sharing. Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026. How Obesity Injections Function These medications imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake. Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs. Evidence points to patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, as their normal food cravings return. To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies. Excess weight impacts people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
Under one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the therapies. Considering over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments. Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken. "The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the agency. GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis Even under the current most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO. The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase access, through approaches such as patent sharing. Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026. How Obesity Injections Function These medications imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake. Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs. Evidence points to patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, as their normal food cravings return. To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies. Excess weight impacts people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.