WHO Raises Alert Over Severe Lack of Obesity Medications

Under 10% of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.

Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.

Per estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and continuous support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the agency.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Even under the current most favorable case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.

The guideline urges countries and companies to increase access, through measures including voluntary licensing.

A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Work

The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so users consume fewer calories.

People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Evidence points to users may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal food cravings return.

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

Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.