French Health Minister Stephanie Rist announced during an interview with TF1 on Thursday that France will begin covering the costs of anti-obesity medications for patients with severe obesity starting from mid-June.

Two injectable treatments, Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, have gained significant global attention as anti-obesity therapies.

The final approval procedures are being completed, with the reimbursement policy expected to take effect in mid-June.

Eligible patients include those with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher who also have at least one related complication, or those with a BMI of 40 or higher, regardless of other conditions.

Up to 1 million people could benefit from this policy. The decision to prescribe these medications remains at the discretion of the treating physician.

Minister Rist stated that the base reimbursement rate is set at 65%. However, in practice, due to the presence of comorbid conditions, the vast majority of eligible patients are expected to receive 100% coverage.

Rist estimates that, once fully implemented, the policy will result in an annual cost to the state of approximately 100 million euros.

In France, patients currently pay around 300 euros per month for these medications.