World Health Organization Sounds Warning Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Jabs
Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current most favorable scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen access, via measures like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, when their typical food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
