The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its initial recommendations on the therapies.

Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.

Based on projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity

Even under the present most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand availability, via strategies like voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work

The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.

Individuals usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual hunger come back.

To be overweight or obese raises your likelihood for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.