WHO Raises Warning Over Severe Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications

Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.

Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis

Even under the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.

The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen access, via measures including licensing agreements.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Injections Work

These medications mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.

Individuals usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Research indicates people may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the treatment, as their normal food cravings return.

To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

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