Ozempic is a semaglutide, an injectable medication originally approved for Type 2 diabetes. It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps lower blood pressure by stimulating insulin release and reducing appetite. Patients use a once-weekly pen injection at doses which start at 0.25mg and can go up to 1 mg (or higher) as needed for glucose control.
While ozempic is officially used for diabetes management in Canada, it gained widespread popularity for weight loss after many patients and celebrities reported significant weight reduction as a side effect.
If weight loss is your goal then wegovy is what you should be taking. It’s also a semaglutide but is distributed at higher doses and was only recently approved in Canada.
Demand for Ozempic in Canada has risen steadily over the past two years. However, healthcare professionals have cautioned using Ozempic for weight loss as it is not recommended as a quick cosmetic fix.
The current cost of Ozempic in Ontario pharmacies
For Ontario residents paying out-of-pocket, the Ozempic Cost in Canada remains substantial in 2025. A typical one month’s supply (one pen with four weekly doses) generally ranges from $200-$300 CAD without insurance.
Still, at around $200-$300 a month in Ontario, the cost for ozempic is a considerable expense for local patients, especially since it’s a long-term therapy. A patient could easily spend over $3000 a year if paying out-of-pocket in Ontario.
Public Coverage of Ozempic on Ontario
The Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program provides public drug coverage for certain groups, and as of 2024 it does include ozempic- but only for specific patients. In late January 2024, Ontario’s Ministry of Health changed ozempic’s status on the provincial formulary to “limited use,” explicitly to restrict coverage to people with Type 2 diabetes.
According to CBC News, the ODB will no longer cover ozempic for those without Type 2 diabetes.
So who can get ozempic under the ODB? The ODB generally covers seniors (65+), youth and young adults enrolled in OHIP+ (18-24 years old, if not private plan), receptiants of Ontario Works or ODSP (social assistance), residents of long-term care, and individuals registered with the Trillium Drug Program.
Key points about OBD coverage for ozempic:
- ODB eligibility: You must be an ODB recipient and have a valid prescription for meeting the LU criteria.
- Type 2 diabetes requirement: Your doctor needs to attest that you have Type 2 diabetes and couldn’t reach blood sugar targets with metformin alone. If those conditions aren’t met, OBD will not approve the claim.
- No coverage for off-label use: ODB will not fund ozempic for weight loss or pre-diabetics.
- Trillium Drug Program: If you are under 65 with no other coverage, you can apply for this program which allows high drug costs to be covered by ODB after a deductible. Trillium members are considered beneficiaries, so ozempic will be covered for them only if they meet the same diabetes criteria.
ODB coverage significantly reduces the cost for those who qualify. You would typically just pay the ODB co-payment ($2 for seniors or up to $6.11 for others, or $0 for Trillium once deductible met). However, many ozempic users do not qualify ODB, for example, a 45 year old not on social assistance who doesn’t have extreme drug costs, or if they want it for weight management. These individuals must turn to either private insurance or self-funding options.
Private Insurance: How It Affects the Cost of Ozempic
Many people in Ontario have private health insurance, whether it’s through their employer or individual programs which can dramatically lower the cost of ozempic-but coverage is not guaranteed and often comes with conditions.
If ozempic is prescribed for Type 2 diabetes, most private drugs plans will cover it. If you have insurance, it’s likely your plan includes diabetes medications like ozempic on its formulary. That said, insurers require proof that the prescription is medically appropriate.
Major insurance providers have instituted prior authorization for ozempic: the prescriber or pharmacist must show proof that the patient has Type 2 diabetes and has tried first-line treatments.
In 2023, Manulife added ozempic to its prior-authorization list meaning that the doctor might have to fill a form or the pharmacy system will automatically verify that you’ve been on metformin for 6 months before ozempic.
If ozempic is being prescribed off-label for weight loss, most private insurers will not cover it. According to CATDH, fewer than 10 per cent of Canadaians have any private coverage for weight loss medications.
The Cost and Benefits of Buying Ozempic
As of 2025, the price for ozempic is between $200-$300 per month for those paying out-of-pocket. Paying for ozempic can be manageable if you qualify for public coverage or have private insurance plans that cover it.
However, for many Ontarians trying to lose weight, off-label ozempic will not be covered by public insurance and many private ones also.
Ozempic may only be covered by public or private insurance if the patient has Type 2 diabetes and can prove that.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ozempic Cost and Coverage in Ontario
How much does Ozempic cost in Ontario without insurance?
The Ozempic cost in Ontario typically ranges from $200-$300 CAD per month if you’re paying out-of-pocket.
Is Ozempic covered by OHIP or public drug plans?
Ozempic is covered under the OBD program, but only for patients with Type 2 diabetes who meet specific criteria. It’s not covered for weight loss use.
Does private insurance cover the cost of Ozempic?
Many private insurances do cover Ozempic if you have Type 2 diabetes but most do not cover it for weight loss. Coverage often requires a doctor to confirm that the patient has tried first-line diabetes treatments.
Are there any financial assistance programs for Ozempic in Ontario?
Yes. Patients who qualify for the Trillium Drug Program may get help with high drug costs, and some manufacturers’ assistance programs are available for those with financial hardships. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for eligibility.
Resources
- https://www.singlecare.com/blog/ozempic-canadian-pharmacy
- https://globalnews.ca/news/9536651/ozempic-weight-loss-drug-doctors
- https://toronto.citynews.ca/2023/08/18/ozempic-shortage-canada-diabetes-weight-loss
- https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/prices-of-drugs-for-weight-loss-in-the-us-and-peer-nations
- https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-coverage-prescription-drugs
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ozempic-ontario-drug-access-changes-1.7100352
- https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-works
- https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-disability-support-program
- https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-help-high-prescription-drug-costs
- https://www.manulife.ca/business/news/group-benefits-news/ozempic-diabetes-prescription_drug_manulife.html
- https://thehealthinsider.ca/a-deep-dive-into-canadas-most-popular-weight-loss-drugs
