World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Under one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its inaugural guidance on the medications.

Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.

Based on estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad access to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.

The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, via strategies like licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Operate

The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.

People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the treatment, as their normal appetite come back.

Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.