WHO Raises Alert Over Acute Shortage of Obesity Jabs

Fewer than one in 10 patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.

With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.

Based on estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even in the current best projected case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand access, via approaches including licensing agreements.

A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate

These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so individuals eat less.

Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Studies suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, because their usual food cravings return.

To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.

Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.