The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Jabs

Under one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first recommendations on the therapies.

With over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Per projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the body.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Despite the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.

The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase access, by approaches including licensing agreements.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Operate

GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance satiety so individuals reduce food intake.

Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.

Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the treatment, as their typical food cravings come back.

To be above a healthy weight elevates your risk for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.

Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.