SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
The race to fight obesity : The critical role of the supply chain
Myrna Wilson , global director of strategic growth and technical sales , pharmaceutical ingredients , at Univar Solutions , outlines how distributors can help in a rapidly growing area of the pharmaceutical industry There has been constant news coverage over the last several years about a breakthrough medication that will tackle one of modern society ’ s biggest health crises : obesity . As we move forward as a society that wants to live healthier lives and follow the best medical and pharmaceutical guidance , Univar Solutions is keeping up with what this means for consumers and the supply chain , as well as following the market landscape .
Bariatric surgery , a medical procedure performed specifically for weight loss by altering the digestive system , is one option for treating obesity . However , it is not widely popular because of the possibility of complications and the varying degrees of success in maintaining weight loss results post-operation . In addition to this , the medical community has typically focused on treatments for diseases linked to obesity , such as Type 2 diabetes , cardiovascular diseases , hypertension , strokes , breast cancers and colon cancers .
In 2013 , the American Medical Association ( AMA ) designated obesity as a disease . This means that it now requires prevention and treatment efforts . Other agencies had also previously labelled obesity as a disease , but the AMA is considered one of the most influential healthcare organisations , so it is believed that this recognition would lead to a push regarding treatments , insurers and policymakers .
NOV / DEC 2023 SPECCHEMONLINE . COM
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