The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Acute Shortage of Obesity Injections

Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.

Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.

Per projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Despite the present most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.

The advice calls on countries and companies to expand access, by strategies including voluntary licensing.

A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Work

GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.

Individuals usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Evidence indicates users may see weight return within a year of stopping the drug, as their usual appetite return.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.