The Global Health Body Raises Warning Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Less than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first advice on the therapies.

With over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.

According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad availability to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, says the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.

The guideline urges countries and companies to expand access, via strategies like patent sharing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.

How Obesity Injections Work

GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.

People commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Research indicates users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their normal food cravings return.

Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.