World Health Organization Issues Warning Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections
Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most favorable outlook, the production of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on governments and firms to expand access, via approaches such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so people eat less.
Individuals usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the treatment, as their usual appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.