World Health Organization Issues Alert Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Injections

Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the drugs.

Given over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.

According to projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even in the current best projected case, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.

The recommendation encourages governments and firms to widen availability, via approaches like voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Function

The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.

Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Evidence points to people may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, as their normal appetite resume.

Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.

Excess weight impacts people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.