The obesity treatments Wegovy and Mounjaro, which are particularly popular, will be officially reimbursed in France from mid-June 2026, but within a very controlled framework, a caution justified by their cost to the healthcare system estimated at " around one hundred million euros » per year and by the risks of misuse.
18% of obese French adults
“ We are the first country in the European Union to provide reimbursement for patients who need it, under common law, on a permanent basis."This is a welcome development," declared French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist on TF1. Obesity currently affects 181% of adults in France. This measure represents, in a full year, that is to say once we have the increase in prescriptions, around one hundred million euros", the minister specified, based on a target population of approximately " one million people"The reimbursement rate has been set at 65%," the minister confirmed, "but in reality..." For the vast majority, it will be a refund of 100% "insofar as " almost all of these patients are treated at 100% "due to their state of health."
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From the “ prevention", according to the Minister of Health
These treatments allow for a real change for these people who will no longer require surgery and will have fewer risks", it is about therefore prevention", according to Ms. Rist. According to two decrees published Thursday in the Official Journal, the slimming drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro will only be reimbursed for certain adult patients: those with massive obesity without comorbidity or severe obesity with comorbidity, who can usually resort to bariatric surgery, which is more expensive.
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The initial prescription of these injectable medications will be strictly regulated and controlled and will be "reserved" to doctors working in facilities specializing in obesity.
First EU country to reimburse Wegovy and Mounjaro
Wegovy from the Danish laboratory Novo Nordisk and Mounjaro from its American competitor Eli Lilly are GLP-1 analogues, a family of drugs that cause dramatic weight loss and reduce appetite.
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Until now, the price was freely set by the laboratories and French patients had to pay around 300 euros per month out of pocket for these injectable pens available on prescription since the end of 2024. The price could vary depending on the pharmacy. “ France is the first country in the European Union to reimburse treatments for obesity.", stressed the head of the Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo NordiskMike Doustdar, in a statement.
Other countries, such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Japan, already offer coverage for Wegovy, but with different criteria than those used in France and a limited treatment duration. Reimbursement for the anti-obesity drug Mounjaro is already available in the United Kingdom, Greece, and Switzerland for a period of one year. Beyond this reimbursement, Wegovy and Mounjaro will remain accessible to other patients, but at their own expense.
Obesity is a chronic disease that can lead to other conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and an increased risk of cancer. In addition to these medical complications, the social repercussions are significant: isolation, psychological distress, and professional difficulties.
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