WHO Raises Alert Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Injections

Less than one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.

Per projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even under the current best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The guideline calls on governments and firms to expand availability, via approaches including licensing agreements.

A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Injections Work

These medications replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people eat less.

Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.

Research suggests patients may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the treatment, because their normal food cravings resume.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.

Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.