A French medical professor has cautioned that popular new anti-obesity medications are long-term treatments for a chronic disease rather than temporary solutions for minor weight loss.
Professor Bertrand Fougère, an expert in medicine, spoke on the television programme Bonjour ! Avec vous to clarify the appropriate medical use of medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
These pharmaceutical products were initially developed and approved to treat type 2 diabetes by helping patients manage their blood sugar levels. However, medical professionals observed a secondary effect of substantial weight loss, leading to widespread attention and their subsequent use in treating obesity.
Fougère emphasised that obesity is a chronic medical condition. He stated that these specific injectable treatments are not intended for members of the general public who simply wish to lose five kilogrammes.
Despite this medical restriction, usage is widespread. According to figures provided by two pharmaceutical laboratories that market the medications, more than 100,000 people in France utilised anti-obesity treatments in 2025.
How the medications operate
Fougère explained the biological mechanism behind the resulting weight loss. The medications work by eliminating the patient's sensation of hunger and slowing down the transit of food through the digestive system. Because gastric emptying is delayed, patients feel full on smaller portions and remain satisfied for extended periods. This enduring feeling of satiety naturally leads to a reduced caloric intake, which causes the patient to lose weight.
The treatments belong to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 analogues. Glucagon-like peptide-1 is a naturally occurring intestinal hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating appetite and blood sugar. While the drugs share this scientific classification, Fougère clarified that Ozempic specifically remains indicated for diabetic patients.
Prescribing criteria and supply levels
In France, the national Social Security system, which subsidises healthcare costs for citizens, will reimburse the cost of these anti-obesity medications under strict clinical conditions. Fougère stated that eligibility requires a patient to have a Body Mass Index of more than 40.
The Body Mass Index is a standard measurement derived by dividing a person's weight by the square of their height, used globally by healthcare providers to assess weight categories. A score over 30 is generally classified as obese, while a score over 40 indicates severe obesity. As a practical example, Fougère noted this threshold applies to an individual who is 1.70 metres tall and weighs 120 kilogrammes.
The immense global demand for weight-loss injections had previously sparked fears among diabetic patients that they would face shortages of their essential medication. Fougère offered reassurance on the current supply chain. He stated that pharmaceutical laboratories had reacted well following an initial peak in demand. He confirmed that diabetic patients prescribed Ozempic are receiving their treatments and that there is currently no shortage of these drugs.
Online counterfeits and lifestyle changes
The professor issued a severe warning against purchasing treatments through the black market. Contraband versions of the medications are currently being sold online, sometimes at one third of the legitimate pharmacy price. Fougère alerted the public that the contents of these unregulated syringes are entirely unknown.
He observed that a resurgence in the cultural emphasis on thinness is driving many people to seek out these injections. However, he questioned whether using a medical injection is the appropriate response for someone wanting to lose a small amount of weight. Fougère suggested that individuals in that position should instead focus on rebalancing their daily diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and ensuring they get adequate sleep.
A long-term chronic treatment
Fougère stressed that the injections must not be treated as a short-term regimen. Because obesity is a chronic disease, the medication does not provide a permanent cure and should not be halted once the excess weight is lost.
When patients follow the treatment correctly, they lose approximately 20 percent of their body weight. However, Fougère warned that ceasing the medication causes patients to regain almost two thirds of the weight they had managed to lose.
Finally, the professor highlighted the potential adverse reactions. The drugs can cause common side effects such as nausea and digestive transit disorders. Fougère warned that there are also potential severe complications involving the pancreas and the eyes. He concluded that taking the risk of experiencing these severe adverse effects without a valid medical indication is highly dangerous.
