WHO Sounds Alert Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Jabs

Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.

Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

Per forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, says the organization.

Skinny Jab Shortage

Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase access, through strategies like patent sharing.

A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.

The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function

The injections imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people eat less.

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

Research indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the treatment, as their typical food cravings come back.

To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.