World Health Organization Issues Alert Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Injections

Fewer than 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the drugs.

Given over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.

Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, says the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Despite the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.

The guideline calls on countries and companies to widen access, by strategies such as licensing agreements.

The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Operate

GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.

Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the drug, because their normal food cravings come back.

Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.