WHO Raises Concern Over Acute Lack of Obesity Injections

Less than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.

With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.

According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even under the current best projected case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.

The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase availability, through approaches like voluntary licensing.

A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate

The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.

Individuals commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Research suggests users may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their typical food cravings come back.

Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.

Obesity impacts people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.