France to reimburse Wegovy and Mounjaro obesity drugs

France announced that it will become the first European Union member to reimburse the GLP‑1 weight‑loss medicines Wegovy (produced by Novo Nordisk) and Mounjaro (produced by Eli Lilly). The reimbursement scheme will start in mid‑June and will apply only to patients with severe or morbid obesity – defined as a body‑mass index of at least 40, or at least 35 with a comorbidity. Initial prescriptions must come from specialists or designated obesity‑treatment centres. The state‑run health insurance will cover 65 % of the drug cost on paper, but most eligible patients are expected to receive close to 100 % coverage because of accompanying health conditions. Officials estimate the programme will cost roughly €100 million per year and will target about one million French patients. The move follows a rise in French obesity rates, with recent data showing 48.8 % of adults overweight or obese and around ten million people classified as obese.

The decision is intended to improve access to treatments that have shown significant weight‑loss results, while also containing potential misuse and financial impact on the health‑care system.