World Health Organization Sounds Warning Over Critical Lack of Weight-Loss Injections
Under one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it issues its first advice on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad access to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to increase access, via approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
The injections replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research suggests patients may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, as their usual appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
