The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Jabs

Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.

Given more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.

Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even in the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.

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

The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Operate

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.

People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.

Evidence indicates patients may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the medication, when their usual hunger return.

Being overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.