World Health Organization Raises Concern Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Jabs

Fewer than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the therapies.

Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even under the present most optimistic case, the supply of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through strategies like licensing agreements.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate

The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.

Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Research indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their typical appetite come back.

Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.

Obesity impacts people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.