WHO Issues Alert Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Injections

Less than one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.

Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.

According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift significant body mass, says the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.

The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, through approaches like voluntary licensing.

A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Drugs Function

These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.

Individuals usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.

Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, as their typical hunger resume.

Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Obesity affects people in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.