WHO Raises Concern Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs

Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.

With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.

Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

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

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity

Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.

The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to widen access, through approaches including licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Operate

GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.

Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Research indicates users may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the drug, as their normal appetite return.

To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.