WHO Sounds Warning Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections
Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so people eat less.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the treatment, when their usual hunger resume.
To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
