The Global Health Body Sounds Warning Over Severe Shortage of Obesity Jabs

Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its initial advice on the medications.

Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.

Based on estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, says the agency.

GLP-1 Therapy Shortage

Even in the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, by approaches including voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.

The Way Obesity Drugs Operate

GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.

Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.

Studies suggests people may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, because their normal hunger return.

To be overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for developing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.

Obesity concerns people in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.