World Health Organization Raises Warning Over Acute Shortage of Obesity Jabs

Under one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.

Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.

Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity

Even in the present best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.

The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen access, via measures such as voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Work

These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.

People commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Evidence suggests people may see weight return within a year of halting the drug, as their usual appetite return.

To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.

Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.