WHO Issues Warning Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Injections

Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the drugs.

Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.

Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even in the present best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.

The guideline urges governments and firms to widen access, via strategies including licensing agreements.

The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Injections Work

These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.

Individuals typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Studies indicates users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, when their usual hunger return.

To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.