WHO Raises Concern Over Critical Lack of Obesity Jabs

Under a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the medications.

With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

Per projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift significant weight, says the agency.

Weight-Loss Drug Shortage

Even in the current most favorable scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.

The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by strategies such as voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.

How Weight-Loss Injections Work

These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people eat less.

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

Research indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the medication, when their usual food cravings resume.

Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.

Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.