Fines for Dutch media over Ozempic reporting

The Dutch Inspectorate for Health and Youth Care (IGJ) has imposed fines totaling tens of thousands of euros on several Dutch newspapers, including NRC, Volkskrant, De Telegraaf, and AD. The fines stem from their reporting on the medications Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.

The IGJ contends that these outlets engaged in prohibited public advertising. This is based on their assessment that the newspapers reported too positively on the drugs, suggesting health benefits beyond their registered purpose of treating diabetes in the Netherlands. Dutch law forbids public advertising for prescription-only medications.

Editors-in-chief of the affected newspapers and the Dutch Journalists' Union (NvJ) have reacted with outrage. They view the fines as a significant restriction on press freedom and an impediment to journalists' ability to report on medical topics. "We are shocked that the inspectorate is imposing hefty fines on reputable media and honest journalists who often write about medicines and have no other interest than informing the public," stated Thomas Bruning, secretary of the NvJ.

Bruning added, "This makes it impossible for journalists to report on this subject in a normal way. We take this very seriously. It is important that a dialogue takes place with the inspectorate and the Ministry of Health, which is ultimately responsible for this." The IGJ stated it has issued around twenty fines between 2023 and 2025 for advertising prescription drugs, not exclusively for Ozempic or only to media companies.

Pieter Klok, editor-in-chief of Volkskrant, called the fines "bewildering." He acknowledged the IGJ as a serious institution assessing health risks based on law but argued that "journalism should never be subject to these laws unless it can be proven that it is paid for." Volkskrant has since removed a fined article from its website. Media company Mediahuis received fines totaling 132,000 euros this month for articles published in NRC and De Telegraaf over the past few years.