WHO Issues Alert Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections
Fewer than 10% of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current best projected case, the production of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen access, by approaches like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research indicates patients may see weight return within a year of stopping the medication, when their usual appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for contracting medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
