World Health Organization Raises Alert Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it releases its first recommendations on the medications.

Given more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

Per estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the body.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Despite the present best projected outlook, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.

The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via measures like patent sharing.

Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate

GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.

People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Studies indicates patients may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, as their usual food cravings come back.

Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.

Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.