The Global Health Body Raises Concern Over Critical Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications

Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.

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

According to forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and ongoing support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the organization.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Despite the present best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.

The advice urges nations and manufacturers to expand access, through approaches including licensing agreements.

A patent on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Work

GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.

Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Studies suggests people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their typical hunger resume.

To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.

Excess weight affects people in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.