WHO Sounds Alert Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Jabs

Under a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its first recommendations on the medications.

With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.

Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, says the agency.

Skinny Jab Supply Crisis

Despite the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.

The guideline calls on countries and companies to widen access, by strategies like licensing agreements.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Injections Operate

The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.

Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the drug, because their normal hunger return.

To be overweight or obese raises your chance for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.

Obesity impacts people in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.