WHO Issues Warning Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Injections

Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.

Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.

Based on projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, says the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Despite the present most favorable scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.

The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via measures including voluntary licensing.

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

How Obesity Injections Operate

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

People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.

Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the drug, when their typical appetite resume.

To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.

Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.