WHO Sounds Warning Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Under 10% of people who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its first advice on the therapies.

Given over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.

According to projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Even in the current best projected case, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.

The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by strategies like voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Drugs Function

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.

Patients typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual food cravings resume.

Being overweight or obese increases your chance for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.

Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.