WHO Issues Alert on Obesity Injection Shortage

The World Health Organization has issued a warning that less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity medications, such as Wegovy, actually have access to them. This statement coincides with the release of its initial guidelines on these drugs.

With over a billion people classified as obese globally, the WHO is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 pharmaceuticals. Without intervention, projections indicate that over two billion individuals may be categorized as obese by the year 2030.

Significant hurdles to universal access include high prices, constrained production capabilities, and challenges in the supply chain, as noted by the WHO. The organization has included these medications in its essential medicines list, recommending that countries make them available.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, “Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic illness that requires comprehensive and long-term management.”

He added, “While medications alone cannot remedy this global health issue, GLP-1 treatments can assist millions in overcoming obesity and alleviating its associated risks.”

The WHO clarifies that these drugs, sometimes referred to as weight loss injections, mark a pivotal shift in societal perspectives towards obesity—from viewing it merely as a lifestyle choice to recognizing it as a complex, preventable, and treatable chronic disease.

These medications can be administered over extended periods, lasting six months or more, but they must be accompanied by guidance on nutrition and physical activity to ensure prolonged weight management.

The WHO emphasizes the accessibility issue, stating, “Our primary concern is equitable access,” according to Tedros. Even under optimal production scenarios, only around 100 million individuals could receive GLP-1 therapies—less than 10% of the population in need.

The guidelines encourage nations and pharmaceutical firms to broaden availability through initiatives such as voluntary licensing, which permits other manufacturers to produce affordable generic versions of patented medications.

The patent for semaglutide, the main component of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, is set to expire in various countries by 2026, opening the door for other companies to generate and market cost-effective alternatives in nations including India, Canada, China, Brazil, and Turkey.

The WHO also advocates for the creation of healthier living environments to enhance health and prevent obesity. GLP-1 medications operate by mimicking a natural hormone that controls digestion, suppresses appetite, and promotes a sense of fullness, enabling individuals to consume less food.

In the UK, these injections are classified as prescription-only medications, meaning they can only be provided by healthcare professionals to individuals who demonstrate a clinical need. Some are offered through the National Health Service, but a greater number are available privately.

There exist unregulated markets for these medications, and it is advisable for individuals to steer clear of purchasing from unauthorized sources like beauty salons or through social media channels.

Users generally begin to lose weight just a few weeks after starting the weekly injections. However, studies indicate that many may regain most of the weight within a year of concluding the medication, as cravings for food often resurface.

Excess weight or obesity heightens the likelihood of developing health complications, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and specific cancers. Globally, obesity impacted every country and was linked to an estimated 3.7 million fatalities in 2024, according to the WHO.