World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Severe Lack of Obesity Injections

Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its first recommendations on the therapies.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even in the current best projected case, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.

The advice calls on countries and companies to widen availability, through strategies including licensing agreements.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Injections Work

The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.

Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, as their usual hunger come back.

To be overweight or obese raises your risk for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.

Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.