The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Injections
Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people ā under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient ā the core component of a leading brand ā is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, because their normal appetite come back.
Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
