Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
75. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health her plans to expand access to weight loss medications given the health and societal costs of obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17500/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for her question.
The Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), launched in 2016 under the Healthy Ireland Framework was aimed at reversing obesity trends, preventing related health complications, and reducing the wider social and economic impact of overweight and obesity. Recognising obesity as a complex issue, OPAP adopts a whole-of-society approach and aligns closely with World Health Organisation recommendations.
Since 2016, significant progress has been made across OPAP’s Ten Step Programme, from health promotion and education initiatives to establishing obesity treatment and management services within the health system. My Department is now developing a new obesity strategy, informed by extensive public and expert consultation carried out over the past year, and expected to be published later this year.
In accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 the HSE has sole statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines. Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation either by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
The HSE have advised that decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds.
The HSE have also advised that controls are in place to reimburse GLP-1 medicines only for approved diabetes indications. Ozempic® and Trulicity® are therefore reimbursed only for patients with GMS or Long-Term Illness eligibility with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ozempic® does not have a licence for weight loss. Liraglutide (Saxenda®) is the only medication reimbursed for weight management, under a Managed Access Protocol for patients who meet the clinical criteria. Applications are reviewed by the Medicines Management Programme on an individual patient basis. Mounjaro® and Wegovy® remain under HSE assessment and are not currently reimbursable.
