The Global Health Body Raises Warning Over Severe Scarcity of Weight-Loss Injections

Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.

Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.

According to forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.

The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via approaches such as voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.

How Obesity Injections Work

The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance satiety so people consume fewer calories.

Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the drug, when their normal appetite return.

To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.

Excess weight concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.