WHO: The Crisis Risk of Global Shortages of Ozempic & Wegovy

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first global guidance on the use of weight loss injections like Ozempic and Wegovy, warning that fewer than one in ten people who could benefit are currently able to access them.

With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, the WHO has urged governments and manufacturers to take immediate action to expand supply and cut costs.

The warning comes as obesity rates continue to climb toward projected levels of more than two billion people by 2030, placing immense strain on already overburdened health systems.

Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says that these new recommendations should mark a turning point in how the world approaches obesity. "Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," he says.

"While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP‑1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms."

Rising demand, dwindling supplies

Even under the best production forecasts, the WHO estimates that manufacturers will only be able to meet the needs of about 100 million patients by 2030.

The figure represents less than 10% of those eligible, underscoring how demand for glucagon-like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1) medicines like semaglutide and tirzepatide has far exceeded supply.

High costs, limited manufacturing capacity and fragile supply chains have created a bottleneck that no single company can resolve.

Prices for some drugs, including Mounjaro, have risen sharply in markets such as the UK, where its retail price increased by 170% this year to align with international rates.

Beyond costs, reported shortages have also fuelled a growing black market for counterfeit or substandard versions of the medication. The WHO has warned that unregulated sales pose some serious risks to patients, particularly in cases where jabs are bought through social media or cosmetic clinics.

From lifestyle to chronic disease

GLP‑1 medicines mimic natural hormones that regulate appetite, digestion and blood sugar. By slowing the movement of food through the stomach and curbing hunger, they can lead to sustained weight loss over several months.

While originally developed for Type 2 diabetes, they have since shown remarkable effectiveness in managing obesity and related complications such as heart disease and stroke.

For many experts, the WHO’s guidance represents a symbolic shift in how obesity is understood – not as a personal failure or lifestyle choice, but as a complex condition influenced by biology, genetics and social factors.

Tedros says that the goal of the guidance is to drive a fundamental change in both medical policy and public perception. "Our greatest concern is equitable access," he says. "Obesity affects people in every country, yet treatment remains available only to a privileged few."

The economics of access

The obesity epidemic is just as much a financial crisis as it is a healthcare crisis. The global economic cost of obesity is projected to reach more than US$3tn annually by 2030, driven by rising rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancers linked to excess weight.

The cost is borne by both patients and governments.

The WHO's new guideline calls for a two-pronged approach: expanding production through voluntary licensing and tiered pricing, and encouraging governments to create healthier environments that prevent obesity in the first place.

A patent on semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, is due to expire in 2026 in several major markets, opening the door for generic versions to be produced in countries such as India, Canada and Brazil.

The WHO hopes that broader licensing will allow affordable alternatives to reach the global South, where obesity is growing fastest but treatment options are few.

Balancing science and scarcity

Despite all its promise, though, GLP‑1 therapy is not a universal solution. Studies have shown that many people regain most of the weight lost within a year of stopping treatment, and long‑term safety data remain limited.

The WHO stresses that drugs should be prescribed only as part of a wider programme that includes dietary advice and behavioural support.

The organisation plans to review and update its guidance as new evidence emerges, with a follow-up in 2026 aimed at addressing supply challenges and prioritising those most affected.

For now, the global shortage has turned a scientific breakthrough into an ethical dilemma. For those at the World Health Organization, the hope is that political will and pharmaceutical cooperation can turn life-changing medicines into accessible tools for all, not just the few who can afford them.