World Health Organization Sounds Warning Over Critical Lack of Obesity Injections

Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the drugs.

With more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

According to estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and continuous treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, explains the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even in the present most favorable scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.

The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, via strategies such as patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate

GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so individuals reduce food intake.

Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Studies points to people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical appetite resume.

To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.