World Health Organization Raises Concern Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections
Fewer than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to expand access, by approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
The injections imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may see weight return after a year of stopping the treatment, when their normal hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
