The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Acute Lack of Obesity Injections
Less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their typical hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your chance for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
