The National Healthcare Institute is examining whether two additional obesity medications, Wegovy and Mounjaro, should be included in the Netherlands’ basic health insurance package.
The drugs would only be considered for people with “the highest disease burden,” the institute said on Thursday. At present, the basic package already covers Saxenda and Mysimba.
The review focuses on two groups of patients for whom there is the strongest evidence that medical treatment can significantly improve health outcomes. The first group includes people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher who also suffer from weight-related conditions such as heart failure, chronic kidney disease or sleep apnea. The second group consists of individuals with severe or very severe obesity, defined as a BMI of 35 or above.
The institute estimates that roughly one million people fall into these categories. Any drug treatment would need to be paired with a lifestyle program addressing stress, sleep, nutrition and physical activity.
Research shows that patients tend to regain weight once they stop taking the medication, meaning long-term or even lifelong use may be necessary. The expected cost ranges between €250 and €450 per month.
A spokesperson told public broadcaster NOS that the institute’s assessment will take several months. After it publishes its recommendations, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports will decide whether Wegovy and Mounjaro will be added to the basic insurance package. Photo by Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez (Lmbuga), Wikimedia commons.