The Global Health Body Sounds Concern Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Fewer than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.

Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even under the current most optimistic case, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand access, by measures including voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.

People typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their typical food cravings come back.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.