The Global Health Body Sounds Concern Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Injections
Under one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to expand availability, via strategies such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
The injections imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance satiety so users eat less.
Patients commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the drug, because their usual food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
