The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Jabs

Under 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the medications.

With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.

According to forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, says the agency.

Skinny Jab Supply Crisis

Despite the current most favorable case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.

The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase access, by measures including voluntary licensing.

A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Drugs Function

The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so people eat less.

People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their usual hunger return.

Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.

Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.