France becomes first EU country to reimburse anti-obesity drugs
France will begin covering the cost of Wegovy and Mounjaro under strict eligibility rules
The scheme is aimed at people with severe obesity
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Two anti-obesity drugs will now be reimbursed in France, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced on May 28.
The two drugs are Wegovy, produced by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, and Mounjaro, manufactured by the American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. The announcement makes France the first country in the EU to introduce permanent standard reimbursement for anti-obesity drugs.
The medications belong to a class of treatments known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. They have gained global attention in recent years because of their significant impact on weight loss and obesity-related health conditions.
The reimbursement scheme is set to begin in mid-June, with costs covered by the national health insurance system.
However, strict eligibility conditions will apply. The scheme is aimed at people with severe obesity and a body mass index (BMI) over 35 accompanied by comorbidities, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or a BMI over 40.
This means that not everyone carrying a few extra pounds will qualify for the scheme or benefit from reimbursements.
In addition, the treatments must initially be prescribed by specialist doctors working in obesity treatment centres or in the fields of endocrinology, diabetology, and nutrition, rather than by general practitioners. Follow-up prescriptions may later be issued by GPs.
The reimbursement rate will officially be set at 65%. However, according to Health Minister Stéphanie Rist, most eligible patients are expected to receive full reimbursement because many already suffer from related health conditions.
The strict eligibility requirements are due to the high cost of the medications, which range from €250 to €400 per month. Negotiations between the government and pharmaceutical companies lasted more than a year because of concerns over the potentially large number of eligible patients in France and the requirement that - in most cases - the drugs need to be taken throughout the patients’ life to prevent relapse.
Doctors also stress that the medications are intended to complement dietary and lifestyle changes rather than replace them.
With the conditions now in place, up to one million people could potentially benefit from the reimbursements, although the minister stressed that treatment would still depend on individual medical assessments and doctors’ prescriptions. The measure is expected to cost the French state around €100 million annually once prescriptions increase.
