WHO Issues Alert Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Injections

Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.

Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Per estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift significant weight, explains the agency.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.

The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by measures including voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work

The injections imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.

Patients commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.

Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their normal food cravings return.

To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.

Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.