Given the rising cost of GLP-1 medications, many Canadians are looking closely at what they'll actually pay out of pocket. Here’s what you can expect to pay for Ozempic depending on your insurance coverage and where you live in Canada.
Key takeaways
- Ozempic costs $310–$340 per month in Canada as of 2026, varying by pharmacy, province and dose. Shopping around can make a real difference in your out-of-pocket cost.
- Generic semaglutide is now available, starting at around $110-125/month at pharmacies, roughly one-third the cost of brand-name Ozempic.
- Public drug plans generally fund semaglutide-based medication only for its approved use. Off-label uses are typically not funded by any provincial plan. You’ll need a limited-use code in order to have it covered by the government.
- Coverage rules differ by province, and most require step therapy or special authorization before this medication is approved.
Ozempic cost breakdown in Canada
As of 2026, Ozempic costs between $310 and $340 per month in Canada, depending on your pharmacy and dose. Prices vary by province, dispensing fees and dose strength. Both strengths have similar costs. Shopping around between pharmacies, even within the same city, can make a meaningful difference in your out-of-pocket cost.
The year 2026 has also brought a significant shift for Canadians. On April 28, 2026, Health Canada authorized the first generic version of semaglutide, manufactured by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, making Canada the first G7 country to do so. Three days later,a second generic was authorized, this one from Canadian-based Apotex. Health Canada notes that generic medications in Canada are typically 45 to 90% cheaper than their brand-name versions.
Pricing of Ozempic in different provinces
In Canada, each province regulates their own regional health insurance plan. This results in slight variations in health insurance and prescription drug coverage from province to province.
No matter the province, public drug plans fund semaglutide-based medication only for its approved use. "Off-label" use isn't covered under any publicly funded drug programs in Canada.
Here's what Ozempic coverage looks like across the provinces:
Newfoundland
If you qualify for coverage under the Newfoundland Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP), your healthcare provider may request a special authorization for Ozempic coverage, subject to provincial eligibility criteria. For those paying out of pocket, generic semaglutide is available at pharmacies across the province for $110–$125 per month range. It is covered under this requirement only for the generic form.
PEI
In PEI, Ozempic requires special authorization for approval under all of its provincially funded drug plans. For those without coverage, generic semaglutide is available at pharmacy chains in the $110–$125 per month range. PEI Pharmacare Program covers Ozempic as a Special Authorization benefit for eligible patients.
Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Diabetes Assistance Program covers eligible supplies and prescription medications for those with diabetes. While this program is now closed to new enrollees, there are a variety of other plans, including the province's Family Pharmacare Program, which funds prescription medication to varying degrees depending on eligibility. Those paying out of pocket can now access generic semaglutide in the $110–$125 per month range.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick residents can choose from a few different public prescription drug plans depending on their income, age and other qualifying factors. Under these plans, Ozempic may be covered for eligible patients, subject to step therapy requirements. Generic semaglutide is available for those without coverage in the $110–$125 per month range.
Quebec
If you don't have a private drug insurance plan, semaglutide-based medication may be funded under the Quebec Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan (PDIP) for patients with type 2 diabetes, subject to special authorization. Those covered under the PDIP may pay a 10–40% co-pay on prescription drug costs. For those paying out of pocket, generic semaglutide is now available at Costco pharmacies in Quebec for approximately $105 per month.
Ontario
In Ontario, Ozempic coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program depends on meeting specific clinical criteria — you'll need a Limited Use (LU) Code, and step therapy requirements typically apply. Age alone doesn't guarantee coverage. If you don't have coverage, generic semaglutide is now available at Costco pharmacies across Ontario for about $105 a month.
Manitoba
Manitoba's pharmacare program may fund GLP-1 medications depending for eligible patients under its exception drug program, depending on income and eligibility criteria, when prescribed for type 2 diabetes. Generic semaglutide is rolling out to pharmacies across the province in the $110–$125 per month range for those paying out of pocket under an exception drug program.
Saskatchewan
Ozempic has Exception Drug Status (EDS) in Saskatchewan for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Eligible individuals may receive funding through Saskatchewan's Drug Plan, provided their healthcare provider submits a special request. For those without coverage, generic semaglutide is now available at $110–$125 per month.
Alberta
In Alberta, semaglutide-based medication for type 2 diabetes is subject to step therapy/special authorization coverage, meaning other treatment options must typically be tried first. If these don't work or aren't tolerated and you're not a candidate for insulin, then you may fill out a special authorization request for coverage. Those paying out of pocket can now access generic semaglutide at Costco pharmacies in Alberta for approximately $110–$125 per month.
British Columbia
As with other provinces, BC's PharmaCare Plan covers the cost of Ozempic for eligible individuals meeting the plan’s clinical criteria. For those without coverage, generic semaglutide is now available at Costco pharmacies in BC for approximately $110–$125 per month.
How Ozempic costs compare to other options
The arrival of generic semaglutide is expected to change this cost landscape significantly. Health Canada has stated that generic drugs are expected to produce cost savings for both patients and the healthcare system, a development many Canadians without drug coverage had been waiting for.
How far prices drop depends on how many generics enter the market. Under Canada's pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) pricing framework, the first generic typically comes in at 75–85% of the brand-name price, dropping to 50% when a second enters and down to around 35% once three or more are available. With two generics already approved and several more under review, experts at McGill University estimate prices could fall as low as $40–$80 per month, a fraction of what Canadians are paying today.
Private insurance coverage and financial assistance for Ozempic
If you have private insurance, your policy may cover semaglutide medications such as Ozempic when prescribed for its approved use.
However, if insurance plans generally only cover medications for their approved use, off-label uses aren't always eligible for coverage.
If you're exploring prescription options specifically for weight management, a practitioner can help you understand which options may be appropriate for your situation. Having said that, weight loss medications could be considered “lifestyle” prescription drugs — which private insurers haven’t traditionally covered. While some have changed their policies to include these medications, it’s a good idea to check with your practitioner about what’s included in your plan.
If Ozempic isn’t funded and your workplace offers a health spending account (HSA), this may be able to help subsidize the cost.
A Maple membership includes access to Canadian-licensed healthcare practitioners who can assess your individual needs during a visit. Based on this assessment, a practitioner may determine whether prescription medication is appropriate. Availability of services may vary by province.*
Prescription medications of any kind are only available if deemed appropriate by a Canadian-licensed practitioner following a clinical assessment. Medication costs are not included. If prescribed, the cost depends on the medication type and dosage. Prices and quantities may vary.
How much can you expect to pay without insurance?
Most provinces cap dispensing fees and the amount a pharmacy is allowed to mark up a product. Despite this, variations in these regulations can result in slightly higher costs in some provinces.
However, cost can also vary from pharmacy to pharmacy within the same neighbourhood. For this reason, it’s helpful to shop around to find which pharmacy offers the best price.
Additionally, you can also save some money on dispensing fees by requesting multiple months of medication at once. For example, instead of returning to the pharmacy once a month for your prescription, you can request three months of the drug at the same time. This allows you to pay one dispensing fee as opposed to three separate ones.
And, if you’re having your medication delivered, inquire about any delivery charges ahead of time. Most pharmacies offer free delivery, but this may vary depending on how close you live.
Availability of generic semaglutide options
Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient as their brand-name counterparts, at a fraction of the cost. In Canada, generics can only be produced once a drug's patent has expired and for semaglutide. Novo Nordisk's Canadian patent protection lapsed in early 2026, and Health Canada has since authorized two generic versions of semaglutide. With several more submissions still under review, additional generics are expected to enter the market throughout the year, which should bring prices down further.
The final word on Ozempic cost in Canada
Ozempic remains one of the more expensive options in its class in Canada, with costs varying by province, pharmacy and dose. For those without coverage, that has historically meant paying a significant amount out of pocket. That's changing. Generic semaglutide is now available at pharmacies across the country, giving Canadians more affordable options than they've had before. Whether you have insurance or not, it's worth talking to your pharmacist about what's available and what you can expect to pay.
*Excludes Quebec, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories
The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the advice from your medical professional.
When using on-demand care, all treatment is at the practitioner’s discretion. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulty breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.