World Health Organization Raises Concern Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections
Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present best projected case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, through approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so users eat less.
People commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, as their normal food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
