France to Reimburse Anti-Obesity Drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro from Mid-June

Starting in mid-June, France will be the inaugural country within the European Union to provide reimbursement for anti-obesity medications aimed at severely obese individuals, as announced by Health Minister Stephanie Rist. This initiative includes injectable treatments such as Wegovy from Novo Nordisk and Mounjaro from Eli Lilly, which have been available via prescription since 2024. Eligibility criteria include a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 with a comorbidity, or a BMI of 40 or higher without comorbidities. The reimbursement rate will be 65%, although many qualifying patients will benefit from full coverage due to comorbidities. Rist projected the state’s annual expenditure at approximately €100 million (US$116 million) once fully implemented, with eligible patients currently facing costs of around €300 monthly. The initiative targets roughly one million individuals, although treatment will vary based on individual circumstances and physician recommendations. This decision responds to increasing global obesity rates and represents a major advancement in public health strategy.