The Global Health Body Issues Alert Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Injections

Fewer than a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.

Considering over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.

Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and continuous care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, says the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity

Even under the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.

The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen access, via strategies like licensing agreements.

A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function

The injections imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.

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

Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the treatment, when their normal food cravings return.

Being overweight or obese increases your chance for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Excess weight affects people in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.