🔗 Share this article WHO Sounds Warning Over Severe Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs. Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments. Based on estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken. "The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the body. Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis Even in the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization. The guideline encourages governments and firms to widen access, through approaches like patent sharing. Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026. The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories. People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses. Research indicates patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, as their normal hunger come back. Being overweight or obese increases your risk for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies. Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs. Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments. Based on estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken. "The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the body. Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis Even in the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization. The guideline encourages governments and firms to widen access, through approaches like patent sharing. Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026. The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories. People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses. Research indicates patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, as their normal hunger come back. Being overweight or obese increases your risk for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies. Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.