Since 1 July, the weight-loss drug Wegovy has been available in Belgium, marking a major turning point in the public debate over how to tackle the nation’s rising obesity problem. With almost half of Belgians classified as overweight or obese, experts believe the government must step in to financially support effective treatments.
According to the national research institute Sciensano, obesity has become a pressing public health challenge, costing Belgium an estimated €4.5 billion annually.
The launch of Wegovy—alongside other slimming medicines such as Ozempic and Mounjaro—offers a potential breakthrough, but its high cost raises questions about accessibility.
Wegovy, developed by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, uses semaglutide, a GLP-1 analogue that reduces appetite by mimicking hormones regulating blood sugar levels. Clinical studies show an average weight loss of 15% among users, a result previously achievable mainly through bariatric surgery.
Mounjaro, a rival drug from Eli Lilly containing tirzepatide, promises even greater weight reduction of up to 22% by stimulating both GLP-1 and GIP receptors.
Despite their promising results, these drugs remain financially out of reach for many. Wegovy costs €145 per injection pen and is not covered by health insurance.
Mounjaro, priced at €180 per pen, has limited reimbursement for diabetes patients but not for those struggling solely with obesity. Meanwhile, Ozempic, costing around €103 when reimbursed, is reserved for diabetics with prescriptions from endocrinologists.
Pascale Brughmans, founder of VoxO, an association advocating for obese people in Belgium, emphasizes the urgent need for equal access. “Preventing obesity is a public health issue and must therefore be funded by the state,” she told The Brussels Times.
Brughmans points to a Yale University study suggesting these drugs could be produced for less than €5 in countries like India and Pakistan, highlighting the stark contrast with European prices.
Experts argue that treating obesity is crucial not just for individual well-being but also for reducing associated comorbidities such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and depression.
Obesity is increasingly recognized as a biological disease rather than a lifestyle choice, with dysfunctional fat cells sending false hunger signals to the brain, perpetuating overeating.
Sciensano’s research also links obesity rates to education and socioeconomic status, stressing the need for broader policy measures. “If the state invests in treatment, it could save billions in long-term healthcare costs,” Brughmans added.
The Belgian health authorities are currently evaluating whether to reimburse weight-loss treatments like Wegovy for non-diabetic patients. Until then, the cost remains a significant barrier for those in need.
With obesity now at the forefront of public health discussions, advocates are calling for a holistic approach, including education, prevention, and financial support for proven treatments. Wegovy’s arrival may be just the beginning of a larger shift in how Belgium tackles this epidemic.
