WHO Sounds Warning Over Severe Lack of Weight-Loss Medications

Under 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.

With over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.

Per forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even in the current best projected scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.

The advice calls on countries and companies to widen access, by strategies including patent sharing.

A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate

These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.

Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Research suggests patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the medication, when their typical appetite come back.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.