World Health Organization Issues Alert Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs

Fewer than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the therapies.

With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.

According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even in the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand access, through measures like patent sharing.

A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Work

These medications replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.

Patients commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Studies indicates users may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, when their typical food cravings return.

Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.

Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.