World Health Organization Issues Concern Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Injections

Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it publishes its inaugural advice on the drugs.

Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.

Based on estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even under the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The guideline encourages governments and firms to widen availability, through measures like voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate

GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people eat less.

Patients usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Evidence points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the treatment, because their usual hunger come back.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.

Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.