Obesity is a medical condition that cannot be resolved through willpower alone, according to the vice president of Mounjaro’s manufacturer, who called for insurance coverage of anti-obesity medications.
Speaking in an interview with a South Korean business publication, the executive emphasized that treating obesity requires medical intervention, not just lifestyle changes, and urged national health insurance systems to include weight-loss drugs in their formularies.
The remarks come amid growing global recognition of obesity as a chronic disease, with increasing evidence that biological factors — including genetics and metabolism — play a significant role in weight regulation.
Mounjaro, known generically as tirzepatide, is approved in several countries for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and is under review for obesity management in multiple regions, including the United States and Europe.
Advocates argue that classifying obesity as a disease and expanding access to evidence-based treatments could reduce long-term healthcare costs associated with related conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Currently, many insurance providers in the U.S. And elsewhere do not cover anti-obesity medications unless specific criteria are met, creating barriers for patients seeking medical treatment.
The call for broader insurance coverage aligns with positions taken by major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the Endocrine Society, which have long advocated for recognizing obesity as a complex, chronic condition requiring comprehensive care.
As discussions around equitable access to obesity treatments continue, stakeholders stress the importance of combining pharmacological options with behavioral support and medical supervision for optimal outcomes.
