France will begin covering the costs of specific weight-loss medications, including Wegovy and Mounjaro, starting June 15, a decision announced by French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist. This move positions France as the first nation in Europe to integrate these types of drugs into its standard healthcare reimbursement system. Rist expressed considerable pride in this development, emphasizing its permanent inclusion under standard coverage. While the official reimbursement rate is set at 65 percent, a significant majority of patients are anticipated to receive full coverage, largely due to co-existing conditions such as hypertension or diabetes. For these individuals, the minister confirmed, reimbursement will effectively reach 100 percent.
The drugs in question, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, represent a newer generation of treatments. These medications function as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, working by mimicking a natural hormone to help reduce appetite. The availability of such therapies has been a topic of broad discussion, particularly concerning their cost. Prior to this decision, patients in France faced monthly expenses of approximately €300 for these injectable treatments. Although these drugs have been available by prescription in France since 2024, national health insurance approval for reimbursement had not been granted until now.
Estimates from late January indicated that over 70,000 patients were already utilizing Mounjaro across France. The broader context for this policy shift is the growing prevalence of obesity within the population. According to the 2024 National Epidemiological Survey on Overweight and Obesity, roughly 18 percent of the French population, equating to about 10 million individuals, are categorized as obese. This figure aligns with wider European trends; data from the European Parliament suggests that 51 percent of the EU population aged 16 and above is overweight, with 17 percent classified as obese.
Expanding access to these medications has been a gradual process. In June 2025, a prior regulatory change allowed all medical practitioners, not just specialists like endocrinologists, to prescribe these specific drugs. This earlier decision paved the way for a broader patient base to potentially benefit from these treatments, making the subsequent reimbursement policy a natural progression in addressing public health concerns related to obesity. The financial barrier, long a significant obstacle for many, is now being systematically dismantled for eligible French citizens.
This policy shift by France could set a precedent for other European Union member states grappling with similar public health challenges. The economic implications for national healthcare systems, as well as the pharmaceutical market, are substantial. As the first to implement such a comprehensive reimbursement strategy, France’s experience will likely be closely observed by health ministries and policymakers across the continent, offering insights into the feasibility and impact of integrating these high-cost treatments into public health systems on a permanent basis. The long-term effects on public health outcomes and healthcare expenditure will be key metrics in evaluating the success of this pioneering initiative.
