The Global Health Body Issues Alert Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Under a tenth of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its first advice on the medications.

With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.

According to projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the agency.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Despite the current best projected scenario, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase access, by measures like patent sharing.

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

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.

Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Studies indicates users may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the medication, because their normal food cravings resume.

To be overweight or obese raises your chance for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.

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