Brussels, July 26, 2025 – The Europe Today: Belgium’s rising use of slimming medications—especially GLP‑1 treatments like Ozempic and Rybelsus—has significantly increased public health expenditures, with insurance reimbursements projected to reach around €76 million for 2024, up from €60.7 million in 2023.
While these drugs are approved for treating type 2 diabetes, many users employ them off-label for weight loss—despite stringent eligibility criteria. Usage soared from approximately 5.8 million doses in 2023 to at least 9.2 million by November of that year.
Belgian health insurers and policymakers are raising concerns over the rising cost burden—nearly threefold since 2021—and the limited public health returns amid growing demand. The surge is straining insurance funds and prompting calls for tighter prescription controls.
Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has intervened to restrict prescriptions solely to individuals with diagnosed diabetes or severe obesity, at least until autumn 2025, in an effort to curb uncontrolled off-label use.
While early evidence suggests that these medications can reduce long-term obesity-related health costs (such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes), critics argue that high upfront drug expenses may outweigh public health savings—especially if used beyond approved medical indications.
Authorities ward that soaring demand and financial pressures highlight the need for more transparent pricing and stronger regulation of prescription practices to protect both public health and healthcare sustainability.
