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health23h ago
WHO warning over shortage of obesity jabs
Bbc.co.uk and 1 more
- The WHO warns that fewer than 10% of eligible people can access obesity jabs, signaling a global access gap even as obesity rises toward 2030 projections.
- GLP-1 therapies have been added to the WHO's essential medicines list to push wider country-level access.
- Obesity is framed by WHO as a chronic disease requiring comprehensive, lifelong care rather than a one-off treatment.
- High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to universal access to obesity injections.
- Patent expirations for semaglutide in 2026 could enable cheaper copies in several countries, potentially expanding supply.
- WHO urges voluntary licensing to help expand access to affordable GLP-1 versions of the drug.
- GLP-1 therapies work by slowing digestion and increasing fullness, aiding weight loss when paired with lifestyle changes.
- Weight regain remains a risk after stopping GLP-1 therapy, with cravings often returning within about a year.
- Access to obesity jabs should be paired with healthier environments to support lasting weight management.
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