World Health Organization Issues Warning Over Acute Lack of Obesity Injections

Under a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first advice on the drugs.

With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and continuous treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.

The guideline calls on governments and firms to increase availability, through measures like patent sharing.

A patent on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Work

These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.

Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Studies points to patients may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, when their typical food cravings return.

Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.

Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.