China Doctors Advocate for Obesity Drug Coverage to Tackle Growing Crisis

In the lead-up to 2025, China's obesity crisis is expected to worsen, with the rate of overweight or obese individuals projected to surpass 65% in the world's second-most populous country. This growing health concern has prompted some doctors to publicly advocate for national insurance coverage of weight-loss drugs, which they believe could help reduce the prevalence of obesity.

Obesity is currently China's sixth leading risk factor in disability and death, yet the cost of long-term weight-loss medications remains a significant barrier for many patients. A year's supply of a weight management drug can cost up to 35,040 yuan, or around 50% of the average annual wage for urban private-sector employees. This high price tag is straining the healthcare system and causing many to hesitate in using the drugs for an extended period.

To address this issue, doctors are calling for the government to include weight-loss medications in the national medical insurance scheme. "If you are able to put them in medical insurance, you can help patients, help considerably more impoverished patients to persevere," said Shao Xinyu, an endocrinologist in Suzhou. This public advocacy from medical professionals highlights the urgent need to improve access to effective obesity treatments in China.