Weight loss injections: a breakthrough in the treatment of obesity, but access and price are still bottlenecks

According to the professor, the “incretin-based” drugs (GLP-1 receptor agonists and newer drugs acting on multiple hormonal axes) that have been released in recent years have attracted so much interest because they simultaneously affect appetite, the feeling of satiety, and blood sugar control. The drugs slow down gastric emptying and can reduce calorie intake through the brain’s satiety centers; in diabetes, they can support insulin secretion that is adjusted to blood sugar levels. According to the Pénzcentrum interview, the amount of weight loss with some therapies can reach around 20%, but the goal is not rapid, but controlled, sustainable weight loss.

TB subsidy, price and market consequences

The biggest obstacle to wider distribution is currently access and cost: according to the professional summary cited by Pénzcentrum, certain products have become available in Hungary with up to 70% subsidy for certain indications from February 1, 2026, but eligibility is subject to strict conditions (documented type 2 diabetes, pre-treatment, metabolic goals, BMI and co-morbidities). In the case of non-subsidized or newer therapies, the monthly expense can reach the order of 180 thousand forints, which significantly narrows the circle of potential users.

The professor also mentioned that in addition to effectiveness, tolerability and safety are decisive: gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation) may occur in some patients, and the use requires medical control. The therapeutic trend is strengthened by the fact that the effects on reducing the risk of comorbidities (e.g. cardiometabolic risks) are also being examined and evaluated internationally.

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