World Health Organization Issues Concern Over Acute Scarcity of Obesity Jabs

Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.

With more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.

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

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

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the body.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even in the present best projected case, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.

The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, through strategies like patent sharing.

A patent on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.

How Obesity Drugs Operate

These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.

People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.

Studies indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their usual appetite return.

To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.

Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.