WHO Sounds Alert Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Jabs

Less than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its inaugural guidance on the drugs.

Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.

Per estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis

Despite the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via strategies such as voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Function

These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.

People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal appetite return.

To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.