🔗 Share this article WHO Sounds Warning Over Acute Scarcity of Weight-Loss Medications Fewer than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the medications. With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs. According to forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention. "The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the body. Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis Even in the current most favorable scenario, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO. The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase access, through approaches like patent sharing. A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026. The Way Obesity Injections Work The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake. People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses. Research points to people may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, as their usual hunger come back. Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies. Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
Fewer than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the medications. With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs. According to forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention. "The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the body. Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis Even in the current most favorable scenario, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO. The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase access, through approaches like patent sharing. A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026. The Way Obesity Injections Work The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake. People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses. Research points to people may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, as their usual hunger come back. Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies. Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.