The telephone poll of 1,422 adults aged 18 and older by Ipsos I&O found that 75 per cent support coverage if the drugs are prescribed by a medical specialist and the patient has already made serious efforts to lose weight. A further 12 per cent want blanket coverage with no caveats, even for commonly prescribed drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

Cost concerns have little effect on public opinion
Reimbursement still had a majority backing, even with support falling some after participants were informed that reimbursement would likely raise health insurance premiums by some euros per month.



The survey was weighted to be representative of the national population by age, gender and education. Respondents were also given the opportunity to share their own thoughts. Some leaned heavily on equal rights to healthcare support and others asked why they're funding what they believe are widely known treatments that aren't their business.



The public can influence where healthcare policy goes next
The Dutch Healthcare Institute recommended last year against including Wegovy in the basic insurance package, saying it required greater public discussion. This was the reason that the government instituted the new poll, Minister Jansen wrote in her letter to the Tweede Kamer.

While there is ongoing discussion over the treatment of obesity, public enthusiasm for treatment is robu.