World Health Organization Issues Alert Over Acute Shortage of Weight-Loss Medications

Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.

With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.

Per projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the agency.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Even in the present most favorable scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.

The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via measures including patent sharing.

The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Jabs Function

The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.

Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.

Studies indicates patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, because their typical hunger resume.

Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.

Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.