WHO Raises Concern Over Critical Scarcity of Obesity Injections

Less than a tenth of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the drugs.

Considering over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.

According to projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the agency.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Despite the current best projected case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The advice calls on countries and companies to expand availability, by approaches like patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Operate

GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.

Patients typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, as their normal food cravings resume.

To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.

Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.