World Health Organization Sounds Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Obesity Injections

Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the medications.

Given over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.

According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to universal availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the agency.

Skinny Jab Supply Crisis

Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.

The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand availability, through strategies such as patent sharing.

A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Function

These medications replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.

People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the drug, when their typical appetite come back.

To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.

Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.