WHO Issues Concern Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.

Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.

According to projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the organization.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Despite the current most favorable outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The guideline calls on governments and firms to widen availability, via strategies including voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Function

The injections imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.

Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Research suggests people may see weight return within a year of stopping the drug, as their usual food cravings return.

Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for contracting health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.

Obesity impacts people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.