WHO Issues Alert Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Injections

Under one in 10 people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.

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

Per forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the agency.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Even under the current best projected case, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.

The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen availability, via measures such as patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Function

The injections imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.

Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Evidence suggests users may see weight return within a year of stopping the drug, when their typical food cravings return.

Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.

Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.