World Health Organization Issues Concern Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.

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

According to estimates, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even in the present most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand availability, via measures including voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate

GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users consume fewer calories.

People commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Research suggests people may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, because their normal food cravings return.

To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.

Obesity impacts people in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.