WHO Sounds Alert Over Critical Scarcity of Weight-Loss Jabs

Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.

With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.

Based on projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the body.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Even in the present most optimistic case, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.

The advice calls on countries and companies to expand access, by measures including licensing agreements.

The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.

How Obesity Injections Work

These medications mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.

People commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.

Research indicates people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, when their normal hunger come back.

Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.