Germany May Soon Cover Weight-Loss Injections Under Public Health Insurance
The Petitions Committee has given the green light to a proposal that could see statutory health insurance covering the costs of weight-loss injections when medically necessary. Lower Saxony's Health Minister Dr. Andreas Philippi, who is also a member of the SPD, welcomes this move, suggesting that Type 2 diabetics should have access to these injections by prescription.
Dr. Philippi proposes a two-step approach for other cases: after years of unsuccessful weight-loss attempts, individuals with obesity could receive a prescription for weight-loss injections. Currently, these injections are classified as 'lifestyle drugs' and are not eligible for reimbursement by statutory health insurance. However, the Petitions Committee is reviewing this classification, acknowledging the need for long-term data on cardiovascular outcomes and safety.
The petition argues that obesity is a serious disease with significant health risks, and that health insurers already cover gastric bypass surgery, which is more expensive than weight-loss injections. The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) is monitoring developments and research on new pharmacological options for prevention, including GLP-1 agonists, which are a type of weight-loss injection.
The approval by the Petitions Committee is a significant step towards making weight-loss injections more accessible. With the support of Dr. Philippi and the ongoing review by the Petitions Committee, these injections could soon be prescribed to those who need them most, potentially improving the health of many individuals with obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
