World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Obesity Injections

Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.

With over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even in the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.

The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand access, by approaches like patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.

How Obesity Injections Work

The injections replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.

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

Research suggests users may see weight return after a year of stopping the treatment, when their usual appetite resume.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.

Obesity affects people in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.