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

Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its first recommendations on the therapies.

With more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the body.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Even in the present best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to widen access, through measures like licensing agreements.

A patent on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.

Individuals usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Research suggests people may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, as their normal hunger return.

Being overweight or obese raises your chance for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.