The use of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy is growing in the Netherlands as more people opt to pay for prescriptions themselves, according to research by current affairs show Nieuwsuur.

In 2023, the Dutch paid for 109,000 prescriptions of the drugs, compared with just 2000 in 2022, according to figures from the drugs monitoring body SFK. The 2024 figures are not yet complete, but the SFK said in November that total prescriptions has risen a further 40%.

These drugs are only reimbursed for individuals with a body mass index of at least 35 and type II diabetes, meaning others must cover the full cost themselves.

Last summer, the Dutch health council advised health minister Fleur Agema against including these drugs in the basic health insurance package, citing concerns about long-term health effects and financial burdens.

Currently, around seven million people in the Netherlands are classified as overweight, with a BMI above 25. If these drugs were approved for general use, approximately 4.2 million individuals would qualify for free or partially free prescriptions.

Despite the costs, many are willing to pay €410 a month for Mounjaro or €160 for Ozempic, along with additional expenses for monitoring and health advice. The medications are only available with a prescription.

“People call specifically asking for Mounjaro because it offers the best results,” one doctor told Nieuwsuur. “For them, spending €6,000 a year isn’t an issue.”

However, experts warn that obesity disproportionately affects low-income households and say the rising popularity of expensive weight-loss treatments may widen the health gap between social groups.

The Dutch healthcare institute has urged the health ministry to initiate a public debate on the societal impact of these drugs.

Minister Agema told Nieuwsuur there is a need for more data on potential side effects and the financial implications of including the drugs in basic health insurance before she can make a decision.