World Health Organization Raises Concern Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Less than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.

With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.

Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and continuous treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even under the current best projected scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Work

These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.

People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Research suggests patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their normal hunger resume.

To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.

Obesity concerns people in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.