World Health Organization Issues Warning Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Injections
Under a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its first advice on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence points to people may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, when their usual food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
