World Health Organization Sounds Warning Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Injections

Fewer than 10% of people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.

Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.

Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even in the current most favorable outlook, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.

The advice encourages countries and companies to expand availability, by measures like voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.

How Obesity Injections Function

These medications imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.

People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Studies points to users may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the treatment, because their usual hunger resume.

To be overweight or obese raises your risk for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.

Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.