World Health Organization Raises Concern Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs

Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the therapies.

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

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

"The new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The recommendation calls on countries and companies to expand access, via measures like patent sharing.

A patent on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Drugs Operate

The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.

Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Studies suggests people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical appetite resume.

To be above a healthy weight elevates your risk for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.

Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.