WHO Issues Warning Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Less than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.

According to forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even under the present best projected case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.

The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, via measures such as patent sharing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Operate

The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.

People commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Evidence indicates patients may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, because their usual hunger resume.

Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Obesity concerns people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.