France will begin reimbursing the anti-obesity medications Wegovy and Mounjaro for patients with severe obesity starting around mid-June [3].
The decision marks a significant shift in how the French state addresses severe obesity. By integrating these high-cost medications into the national Sécurité sociale, France aims to expand treatment access for a population that previously faced steep financial barriers to these specific therapies.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced the policy on Thursday, May 28 [2]. Rist said the Sécurité sociale will provide a reimbursement rate of 65% [1]. The move targets patients meeting specific clinical criteria for severe obesity rather than the general population.
The medications, produced by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, have seen a global surge in demand. The CEO of Novo Nordisk said the decision is a reflection of the "maturité du système de soins français" [4].
Officials indicated that the policy is a first within the European Union. One health official said, "C'est un tournant dans la prise en charge de l'obésité, et une première dans l'Union européenne" [5].
While the announcement occurred on May 28, the actual administrative rollout for patients is expected to be completed by mid-June [3]. The government intends for this measure to improve long-term health outcomes by reducing the complications associated with severe obesity, a goal that aligns with broader public health strategies to reduce chronic disease burdens.
“France will begin reimbursing the anti-obesity medications Wegovy and Mounjaro for patients with severe obesity”
France's decision to subsidize Wegovy and Mounjaro sets a potential precedent for other European nations struggling with rising obesity rates and the high cost of GLP-1 receptor agonists. By covering 65% of the cost, the government is transitioning obesity treatment from a luxury or private-pay model to a standardized public health intervention, though the strict eligibility for 'severe' cases suggests a strategy to control costs and prevent off-label use for cosmetic weight loss.
