🔗 Share this article The Global Health Body Issues Warning Over Acute Shortage of Obesity Injections Under a tenth of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies. Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication. Based on projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken. "Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the agency. GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity Even in the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO. The guideline calls on governments and firms to expand access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing. The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026. The Way Obesity Injections Work GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories. Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs. Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their normal appetite return. To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers. Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
Under a tenth of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies. Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication. Based on projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken. "Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the agency. GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity Even in the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO. The guideline calls on governments and firms to expand access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing. The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026. The Way Obesity Injections Work GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories. Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs. Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their normal appetite return. To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers. Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.