The Global Health Body Raises Concern Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Injections
Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to increase access, through measures including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may see weight return after a year of halting the drug, because their normal hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese raises your chance for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
