The Global Health Body Sounds Concern Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections
Less than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it releases its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and continuous treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to universal access to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present best projected scenario, the supply of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to widen availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
