WHO Sounds Alert Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications

Fewer than 10% of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its initial advice on the therapies.

Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.

"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and continuous care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the agency.

Skinny Jab Supply Crisis

Even in the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.

The guideline calls on governments and firms to widen access, through strategies such as voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work

The injections imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.

Patients typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Studies indicates users may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, as their typical appetite return.

To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.

Excess weight affects people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.