France becomes first EU country to reimburse Wegovy and Mounjaro

French citizens will now be able to gain limited reimbursement for blockbuster weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, which European insurers have been wary of covering due to high costs.  

Speaking to French broadcaster TF1, French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said it was the first European country to decide to cover the costly, yet popular drugs for obesity patients.

“We are the first country in the European Union to provide reimbursement for patients who need it, under general law, on a permanent basis,” Rist said.

So far, countries such as Germany and Greece are only covering similar drugs for type 2 diabetes under strict conditions. 

Coverage in France will be limited to people with severe to morbid obesity, with insurers reimbursing at least 65% of costs. Rist said “a majority of people” would receive full reimbursement because of comorbidities such as heart disease.

Companies welcome decision

The announcement is a win for the leading drugmakers in the…