WHO Sounds Concern Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Injections

Under 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it releases its inaugural guidance on the drugs.

Considering over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.

Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the agency.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Despite the present best projected case, the production of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.

The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by strategies such as voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Operate

These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.

Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Evidence indicates people may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual food cravings come back.

Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.