WHO Raises Concern Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Injections

Under a tenth of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.

Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key barriers to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the body.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Even under the current most favorable case, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.

The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen availability, through strategies such as licensing agreements.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate

These medications mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.

Patients commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Research points to patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, because their normal hunger resume.

Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for developing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.

Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.

Martin Roberts
Martin Roberts

Emma is een ervaren gamejournalist met een passie voor indie-games en esports. Ze deelt haar inzichten sinds 2018.