World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs

Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first recommendations on the medications.

Given over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.

Per forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and continuous treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key barriers to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even under the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand access, by strategies like patent sharing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

How Obesity Jabs Function

The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people reduce food intake.

Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Studies points to users may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, when their normal hunger resume.

To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.

Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.