WHO Raises Warning Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Jabs

Fewer than a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it issues its first recommendations on the therapies.

Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.

Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the body.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The advice calls on countries and companies to expand availability, via strategies such as patent sharing.

A patent on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Work

The injections mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people consume fewer calories.

People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Studies suggests users may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their typical appetite resume.

To be overweight or obese raises your chance for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.

Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.