The Global Health Body Sounds Concern Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs

Fewer than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.

Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.

Based on projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the organization.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.

The guideline calls on governments and firms to increase access, through strategies such as licensing agreements.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.

How Obesity Jabs Work

These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.

People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.

Research suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, as their typical appetite resume.

Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.