Lombardy approves law for obesity care and free medication

The Lombardy regional council has unanimously approved a bill regarding the social relevance of obesity. The legislation aims to establish a regional network for multidisciplinary care, moving away from fragmented management toward a holistic approach that includes prevention, diagnosis, pharmacological therapy, nutrition, physical activity, psychological support, and surgery.

A key component of the law is the provision of free medications for individuals suffering from severe obesity who are also in a state of economic fragility. Maurizio De Luca, President of the Italian Society of Obesity Surgery and Metabolic Diseases (SICOB), noted that ensuring access to treatments for those who cannot afford them is a matter of health equity.

The measure also emphasizes prevention, particularly for children and adolescents, through initiatives in schools and workplaces. Meanwhile, patient advocates, including representatives from the Italian Federation of Obesity Associations (Fiao), highlighted the need to overcome cultural stigmas and information gaps that prevent patients from accessing new therapeutic innovations and participating in their own treatment decisions.