The Global Health Body Issues Alert Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections
Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to widen access, by strategies such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
Patients commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the treatment, as their usual appetite return.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for contracting diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
