🔗 Share this article World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Severe Lack of Obesity Injections Under 10% of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the medications. With over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments. Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention. "Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the body. Skinny Jab Scarcity Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO. The recommendation encourages countries and companies to widen availability, via strategies including voluntary licensing. Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026. The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less. Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses. Research points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their usual appetite return. To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers. Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
Under 10% of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the medications. With over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments. Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention. "Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the body. Skinny Jab Scarcity Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO. The recommendation encourages countries and companies to widen availability, via strategies including voluntary licensing. Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026. The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less. Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses. Research points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their usual appetite return. To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers. Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.