WHO Issues Alert Over Critical Lack of Obesity Injections

Under a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.

With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.

According to forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable body mass, says the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even under the current best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.

The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen access, through approaches like patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Function

The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.

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

Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the treatment, as their normal hunger come back.

To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.