WHO Raises Warning Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Injections

Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the drugs.

With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.

According to forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the organization.

Skinny Jab Supply Crisis

Despite the present most optimistic case, the production of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.

The advice calls on governments and firms to increase availability, via measures such as voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function

GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people eat less.

Patients commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Studies indicates users may see weight return after a year of halting the drug, as their normal hunger come back.

Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Excess weight concerns people in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.