WHO Issues Alert Over Acute Shortage of Obesity Injections

Under one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.

Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.

According to forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even under the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The advice calls on countries and companies to increase access, via approaches such as voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Function

The injections replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.

People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Studies suggests patients may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the drug, because their usual hunger return.

To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

Obesity concerns people in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.