WHO Issues Alert Over Critical Shortage of Obesity Medications

Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the medications.

With over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.

Per estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the organization.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Even under the present most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.

The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, through measures like patent sharing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

How Obesity Jabs Function

These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.

Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Studies points to users may see weight return within a year of stopping the treatment, because their typical food cravings resume.

Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.

Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.