WHO Issues Warning Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Jabs

Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it issues its first advice on the drugs.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

Based on projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable body mass, says the organization.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Even under the present most optimistic scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.

The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand access, via approaches like patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Work

The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.

Patients typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Studies points to users may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, as their normal appetite resume.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.

Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.