The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs

Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the medications.

Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.

According to projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even in the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The guideline urges governments and firms to expand access, by measures such as patent sharing.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function

The injections imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.

Individuals commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Studies points to users may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the treatment, as their typical food cravings come back.

Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.