France Becomes First EU Country to Reimburse Anti-Obesity Drugs

France becomes the first EU country to reimburse anti-obesity drugs starting mid-June 2026, covering Wegovy and Mounjaro for severely obese patients through its social security system. The policy targets around one million people with BMI of at least 35 with comorbidities or 40 without, reimbursing at 65% with most receiving 100% coverage. Health Minister Stephanie Rist estimates the annual cost at €100 million at full rollout.

France reimbursement policy

• ▪Patients in France are currently paying around €300 per month on average for anti-obesity drugs.
• ▪France will reimburse the cost of weight-loss drugs prescribed to severely obese patients from mid-June 2026.
• ▪France is the first European Union country to reimburse anti-obesity drugs.
• ▪The reimbursement through France's social security system covers Wegovy and Mounjaro injectable treatments.

Patient eligibility criteria

• ▪The reimbursement will be available for severely obese patients with a body mass index of at least 35 with at least one comorbidity.
• ▪The target population for France's anti-obesity drug reimbursement is around one million people.

Coverage rates

• ▪The vast majority of eligible patients in France will benefit from 100% coverage of anti-obesity drugs due to comorbidities.
• ▪The anti-obesity drugs will be reimbursed at 65% through France's social security system.

Annual cost estimates

• ▪Stephanie Rist estimated the annual cost to the French state for anti-obesity drug reimbursement at around €100 million at full rollout.

Public health impact

• ▪Stephanie Rist stated that France's anti-obesity drug reimbursement addresses a growing public health challenge and the urgency of appropriate therapeutic care.
• ▪Anti-obesity drugs have been available in France through medical prescription since 2024.

Pharmaceutical company response

• ▪Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro medications have led a boom in anti-obesity treatment.
• ▪Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk, stated that France's reimbursement policy demonstrates the foresight and maturity of the French system and its commitment to providing resources to tackle obesity as a chronic disease.
• ▪Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have launched oral versions of their anti-obesity drugs in the U.S. market.
• ▪Etienne Tichit, General Manager of Novo Nordisk France, stated that France's reimbursement policy addresses a growing public health challenge and the urgency of appropriate therapeutic care.
• ▪The European Medicines Agency recommended approval of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill in May 2026, clearing the way for it to become the first oral weight-loss drug in Europe.

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