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

Fewer than 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.

Considering more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.

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

"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, explains the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Despite the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.

The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, through measures including licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Work

The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.

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

Research points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, because their normal appetite resume.

Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for contracting medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.

Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.