France will begin reimbursing the cost of anti-obesity drugs for severely obese patients from mid-June 2026, the government announced on May 28 [1, 2]. The reimbursement program covers injectable treatments including Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, both prescribed to patients with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 plus one related health condition or a BMI of 40 regardless of other illnesses [1, 2].
Under the plan, the drugs will be reimbursed at a rate of 65%, but most eligible patients will effectively receive full coverage due to their comorbidities. Patients currently pay around €300 per month for these medications, which will become more affordable with reimbursement [1, 2]. The French Health Minister, Stephanie Rist, noted the target population is approximately one million people but cautioned that not all will receive treatment, as it depends on individual medical assessments and prescriptions [1].
Anti-obesity drugs have been available by prescription in France since 2024. Novo Nordisk's France general manager, Etienne Tichit, said the reimbursement addresses a "growing public health challenge and the urgency of appropriate therapeutic care" [1]. Mike Doustdar, CEO of Novo Nordisk, praised the decision, calling it a sign of "foresight and maturity" and a commitment to tackling obesity as a chronic disease [1].
The annual cost of the reimbursement program at full rollout is estimated at around €100 million (US$116 million) to the French state [1, 2]. The drugs eligible for reimbursement are currently injectables, but the European Medicines Agency recently recommended approving an oral version of Wegovy, which would be the first oral weight-loss drug in Europe [1].
France is the first country in the European Union to enact reimbursement for these anti-obesity treatments. The program will begin in mid-June 2026, marking a significant step in making these therapies accessible to patients with severe obesity and related health conditions.
