WHO Raises Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Obesity Injections

Under one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it releases its first advice on the drugs.

With more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.

Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and lifelong treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the body.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Despite the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, by approaches such as licensing agreements.

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

How Weight-Loss Jabs Function

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.

Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.

Research indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their normal food cravings return.

Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.