Explainer- GLP-1 therapies get WHO nod for obesity, but access challenges dominate concerns

December 2, 2025 3:37 PM

Explainer- GLP-1 therapies get WHO nod for obesity, but access challenges dominate concerns

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday issued global guidelines recommending GLP-1 drugs for the long-term treatment of obesity. According to the WHO, this disease affects more than 1 billion people worldwide. The decision comes at a time when demand for drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide has surged, and countries are working on how to include these therapies in public health systems. This announcement now formalises a shift that could influence medical policy, insurance coverage, and...

Researchers discover anti-diabetic herb on Gaya’s Brahmayoni Hill

September 16, 2024 4:25 PM

Researchers discover anti-diabetic herb on Gaya’s Brahmayoni Hill

Researchers have identified Gymnema sylvestre, commonly known as Gurmar, among several medicinal plants on Brahmayoni Hill in Gaya, Bihar. The findings, published in the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT), highlight the potential of this herb in diabetes treatment. Gurmar has already been utilized by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in developing the anti-diabetic drug BGR-34. The plant's unique properties include its ability to reduce blood suga...

Ozempic linked to less tobacco-related healthcare use in study

July 30, 2024 3:52 PM

Ozempic linked to less tobacco-related healthcare use in study

Smokers with type 2 diabetes taking Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic had fewer tobacco-related medical encounters and fewer interventions to help them quit smoking than those who received other diabetes drugs, according to a study of electronic health records published on Monday. In the year after starting treatment, Ozempic users with a previous diagnosis of tobacco use disorder were up to 32% less likely to discuss tobacco use with a healthcare provider than those taking other diabetes medications. T...