World Health Organization Issues Alert Over Severe Scarcity of Weight-Loss Injections

Under 10% of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its initial recommendations on the drugs.

With over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.

Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.

"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the agency.

Skinny Jab Scarcity

Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.

The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase access, by approaches including voluntary licensing.

Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Drugs Function

The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.

People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Studies indicates patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, when their normal appetite return.

Being carrying excess weight increases your chance for contracting medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.