WHO Raises Concern Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications

Under 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the drugs.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.

Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even under the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.

The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through measures including patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Operate

The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.

Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Research suggests users may see weight return a year later of halting the medication, when their usual hunger return.

Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.

Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.