World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs

Under a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.

With over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

Per forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.

The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via strategies including voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Operate

The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.

Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Evidence suggests users may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, when their typical food cravings resume.

Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.

Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.