The pharmaceutical industry and startups hope to treat obesity through health identification and have the treatment costs paid for by health insurance companies. However, this motion was rejected. They believe that obesity is a “lifestyle” issue. But the reasons for self-weight loss are also very valid.
Two popular weight loss drugs
Since weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro took over the market, the topic of weight loss treatment has gained significant momentum. Patients use a pen-sized medication injection once a week under the skin, which not only helps those affected lose weight but also earns the manufacturer a lot of money.
Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug Wegovy, which contains the active ingredient Semaglutide, has long been used to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Ozempic. Wegovy contains the same active ingredient but at a higher dose and has been approved for obese patients. Anyone with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is considered obese. The weight loss drug manufacturer has been a stock market darling since its launch.
The weight loss drug Mounjaro from pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly contains the active ingredient Tirzepatide, with a similar mechanism of action.
These two magical weight loss injections are not as magical as they seem. Doctors confirm that losing 20% of body weight is achievable, and if the body shape is suitable, one can quickly lose over 20 kilograms. However, if the injections are stopped, the weight will increase again, sometimes even surpassing the previous weight.
A market worth billions of euros
In April, nearly 130,000 people attended the FIBO Global Fitness Trade Show in Cologne. The event offered weightlifting, boxing workouts, the latest protein products for sale, e-sports gaming, and the opportunity to try various fitness equipment. A study by management consulting firm Deloitte currently shows that the German fitness industry is expected to reach sales of around €5.4 billion by 2023.
In 2019, Dutchman Roger Spaen founded the fitness app Loop Care in Dusseldorf, providing users with comprehensive information on their salt and sugar intake, its effects on the body, and how to improve. They also have a team of psychologists in the background to provide personal advice when questions arise. Founder Spaen says, “Our goal is to die healthy. Aging must be maintained at a level that people can afford.” All his expressions imply that it’s normal for overweight patients to spend €180,000 on treating related diseases like diabetes, heart problems, joint issues, or strokes. And his mobile app subscription is only about €400 a year. Nothing could be more worthwhile.
Lifestyle? Or disease?
According to data from the Robert Koch Institute, at least one-fifth of adults in Germany have excess body fat, reaching the medical definition of “obesity.”
Politicians have evidently seen the huge demand for health. Stephan Pilsinger, a health politician and practicing family doctor of the Christian Social Union, believes, “Obesity is a disease, unrelated to lifestyle.” He has submitted a motion to the Federal Parliament, stating that weight loss injections are “game-changers that should be used as highly effective drugs for the long-term treatment of obesity.” The Union Party also hopes that statutory health insurance companies will cover the cost of weight loss injections under specific conditions.
The Union Party is leading a battle on weight loss policies in collaboration with the Ministry of Health led by the Social Democratic Party minister. The entire pharmaceutical and health industry in Germany, including dozens of startups, is watching this controversy. Is obesity a disease? Can it be identified and treated (via weight loss) through health attestations? Similar debates have also occurred in the Netherlands and other countries.
However, the relevant authority, the Federal Joint Committee, rejected the proposal for weight loss treatment as a “lifestyle,” meaning health insurance will not cover weight loss expenses.
Doctors have differing views on the treatment method of weight loss injections. Goran Marjanovic, professor and head of bariatric and metabolic surgery at the University Hospital Freiburg, says, “For patient care, G-BA’s decision ultimately means a division into a two-tier society.” He clearly states that only those who can afford to pay €300 a month for life have the chance to get rid of weight and related problems. Baptist Gallwitz, professor at the German Diabetes Association, and board member, explains that a decision cannot be made due to unclear research on the required duration of treatment.
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