GLP-1 Europe: Stigma & Cost Barriers
- AMSTERDAM — Experts at the HLTH Europe 2025 conference highlighted the challenges surrounding the use of GLP-1 medications in Europe.
- Despite growing clinical evidence supporting GLP-1s, their adoption by European healthcare providers, notably in the public sector, remains limited.
- Manuel Nothelfer, co-founder and CEO of Wellster, saeid stringent regulations, societal stigma viewing obesity as a lifestyle choice rather than a disease, and the financial strain on public...
European healthcare providers face significant hurdles in adopting GLP-1 medications. This News Directory 3 article explores the slow uptake of GLP-1s across Europe. Experts at the HLTH europe 2025 conference pinpointed societal stigma, the high cost of these medications, and the crucial need for accompanying lifestyle changes as primary barriers. Discover how regulations and perceptions around obesity are impacting patient access to this potentially life-changing treatment. Explore the specific challenges in countries like the UK, where limited resources further complicate GLP-1 availability, and learn about the contrast with the United states. Discover what’s next …
Europe Grapples With GLP-1 Medication Adoption for Obesity Treatment
AMSTERDAM — Experts at the HLTH Europe 2025 conference highlighted the challenges surrounding the use of GLP-1 medications in Europe. The discussion revealed a mix of skepticism, financial concerns, and evolving views on obesity and available obesity medications.
Despite growing clinical evidence supporting GLP-1s, their adoption by European healthcare providers, notably in the public sector, remains limited.
Manuel Nothelfer, co-founder and CEO of Wellster, saeid stringent regulations, societal stigma viewing obesity as a lifestyle choice rather than a disease, and the financial strain on public health systems contribute to GLP-1s being considered a last resort. This contrasts with higher usage in the united States.
Tessy Huss, director of strategy at HLTH community, noted that some European nations have yet to formally recognize obesity as a disease, further restricting treatment access.
In the United Kingdom, where 28% of the population is obese, the National Health Service struggles to equip primary care for widespread GLP-1 distribution, according to Ro Huntriss, a registered dietitian and chief nutrition officer at Simple App.
