World Health Organization Raises Alert Over Severe Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Fewer than 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the medications.

Given over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.

According to projections, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.

"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the body.

Skinny Jab Supply Crisis

Despite the current best projected outlook, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.

The recommendation encourages governments and firms to increase access, via measures such as voluntary licensing.

The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Jabs Work

These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.

Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Evidence suggests patients may see weight return after a year of halting the treatment, because their normal food cravings resume.

Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.

Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.