WHO Sounds Alert Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Medications

Under a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the drugs.

Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.

Per estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and continuous support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major barriers to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, explains the agency.

Skinny Jab Supply Crisis

Even in the present most favorable case, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.

The advice calls on countries and companies to increase access, via approaches like licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate

The injections replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people eat less.

Individuals usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Studies suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal appetite come back.

Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.

Obesity concerns people in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.