Ozempic claims in Manitoba have more than quadrupled in four years

Manitoba pharmacare claims for Ozempic rose from 17,644 in 2021–22 to 88,367 in 2024–25, and Canada’s regulatory exclusivity for semaglutide ended Jan. 4, opening the door to generic versions.

Manitoba’s public drug plan recorded a marked rise in dispensations of Ozempic over the past four years. Ozempic contains semaglutide, a GLP‑1 drug approved for Type 2 diabetes and used off-label for weight loss. Novo Nordisk’s regulatory exclusivity for semaglutide products in Canada ended Jan. 4, which can allow generic versions to enter the market. Under Manitoba’s pharmacare program, Ozempic is covered only when prescribed for Type 2 diabetes. Key facts: - Manitoba pharmacare claims for Ozempic rose from 17,644 in the 2021–22 fiscal year to 88,367 in 2024–25. - Ozempic was introduced in 2018; its active ingredient is semaglutide, a GLP‑1 agonist that affects blood sugar and appetite. - Novo Nordisk lost market/regulatory exclusivity for semaglutide in Canada as of Jan. 4, creating a pathway for generics. - Manitoba’s pharmacare covers Ozempic only for Type 2 diabetes; other uses typically rely on private insurance or out-of-pocket payment. Summary: The rise in claims indicates substantially increased use of Ozempic within Manitoba’s pharmacare program and coincides with the end of semaglutide regulatory exclusivity in Canada. Generics are expected to become available this year, while how access, coverage and long-term outcomes will change is undetermined at this time.