World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Acute Lack of Weight-Loss Injections

Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.

Considering over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.

According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even in the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.

The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, by strategies like patent sharing.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function

These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.

Patients commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.

Studies points to users may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the treatment, when their typical appetite resume.

Being overweight or obese raises your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.

Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.