Ireland Weighs State Funding for Weight-Loss Injections, Prioritizing 80,000 Patients Initially
A potential breakthrough in Ireland’s fight against obesity is on the horizon, with approximately 80,000 people likely to gain access to State-funded weight-loss injections if new drugs receive approval for medical card holders or inclusion under the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) Drug Payment Scheme. The move hinges on a forthcoming health technology assessment (HTA) evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the medication Mounjaro.
The HSE is currently evaluating the implications – medical, social, ethical, and economic – of Mounjaro, with the results expected in the coming weeks. This assessment is “the precursor to making a decision about who will get it,” according to the HSE’s national clinical lead for obesity, Professor Donal O’Shea. While similar drugs are already available under public schemes for individuals with diabetes, pharmaceutical companies are now seeking broader approval for their use in weight loss treatment, backed by permissions granted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Currently, the cost of these medications presents a significant barrier to access. Wegovy, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, is not yet covered by the public scheme. A listing on one pharmacy website shows the first three dosages priced at €240 per month, escalating to €320 and €355 for higher doses. Similarly, Mounjaro, produced by Eli Lilly, is available with a prescription from Irish pharmacies starting at €275 per month, potentially rising to €595 for the maximum required dose.
Novo Nordisk formally applied for HSE reimbursement for Wegovy in March 2025, extending its availability to both adults and adolescents. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill indicated that a decision on the reimbursement application for Mounjaro could be reached by the end of the year.
Cost Concerns Drive Phased Rollout
Professor O’Shea emphasized that the initial rollout of any publicly funded program will likely be limited due to budgetary constraints. “They simply can’t begin by letting it be open to everybody, just on a cost basis,” he stated. The HSE is expected to follow a model similar to that of the United Kingdom, prioritizing individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35, and those experiencing related health complications.
This phased approach would initially make the injections available to an estimated 80,000 people in Ireland, representing a fraction of the 1.2 million individuals – roughly 25% of the population – currently living with obesity. “We have to make sure we start using it in, initially, the high-risk group and then widen out its use,” Professor O’Shea explained.
He acknowledged the urgency of the situation, expressing concern over the challenges patients face in accessing these potentially life-changing treatments. “I’m concerned about the lengths people are having to go to access what are effective, safe treatments,” he said. Despite the financial challenges, Professor O’Shea reiterated his commitment to making these treatments accessible, stating that they must be “brought in at a point where it won’t break you financially.”
The upcoming HTA will be critical in determining the scope and timeline for the implementation of this potentially transformative healthcare initiative.
