The Global Health Body Issues Warning Over Severe Lack of Weight-Loss Jabs

Less than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.

Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.

Per estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.

The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase availability, via measures like voluntary licensing.

A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Function

The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so people eat less.

Patients commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Studies points to people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, as their normal appetite return.

To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.