WHO Sounds Alert Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its first advice on the therapies.

Given over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.

Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Despite the current best projected case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.

The recommendation encourages governments and firms to increase access, by strategies like licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Drugs Operate

The injections replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.

Patients usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Studies suggests patients may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, because their normal food cravings return.

Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.

Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.