The initiative is specifically designed to support eligible patients who currently pay out-of-pocket for their Ozempic prescriptions.
Novo Nordisk Canada has launched a new savings program for eligible Canadians who pay out of pocket for Ozempic, the company’s once-weekly semaglutide injection for type 2 diabetes.
Starting May 29, 2026, eligible patients without public or private drug coverage can access additional savings on the brand-name medicine. The program is intended to bring the cost of Ozempic closer to generic alternatives for patients who choose to stay on the brand.
In April 2026, Canada became the first G7 country to approve a generic version of semaglutide. The product, filed by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, is a generic version of Ozempic and is used once weekly to help adults with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar. Health Canada authorized it after confirming it met the agency’s standards for safety, efficacy and quality for generic drugs.
Early this month, Apotex launched Apo-Semaglutide Injection, a generic equivalent of Ozempic, in Canada. The once-weekly treatment is approved for adults with type 2 diabetes to improve blood sugar control, in combination with diet and exercise.
Bridging the Gap for Uninsured Patients
The program is aimed at patients who do not have insurance coverage for Ozempic and may otherwise pay the full cost at the pharmacy.
By lowering out-of-pocket costs, the initiative may help some patients continue treatment with Ozempic rather than switching to another option because of affordability.
Iain Graham, General Manager at Novo Nordisk Canada, said the program is intended to help patients and physicians continue using Ozempic if they are already familiar with the medicine.
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Canada spent nearly $43.7 billion on prescription drugs in 2024. According to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, Canada’s federal drug-pricing agency, 21% of those costs were paid directly out of pocket by Canadians.
How Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic Savings Program Works
The savings cards can be used at local pharmacies across Canada, excluding Quebec. Novo Nordisk said the savings will also be applied automatically through Novo Nordisk Care Rx, operated by Rexall, as well as through select online telehealth and retail partners.
Novo Nordisk also said it has an established supply of Ozempic across Canada.
The Public Health Agency of Canada reported that around 3.9 million people in Canada over the age of one were living with diagnosed diabetes, representing 9.7% of the population. During the 2023 to 2024 period, roughly 260,000 people were newly diagnosed with diabetes.
What Ozempic Is Approved to Treat
Ozempic was approved by Health Canada in 2018 as a once-weekly treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes to help improve blood sugar control.
Although Ozempic is often discussed publicly in the context of weight management, Novo Nordisk’s announcement focused on its approved use in type 2 diabetes. The company said more than one million Canadians are now using semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic.
Ozempic is also approved in Canada to reduce certain cardiovascular and kidney risks in adults with type 2 diabetes who have established cardiovascular disease and/or chronic kidney disease.
Final costs and eligibility will depend on the patient’s situation, pharmacy access and program criteria.
FAQs
What is generic semaglutide?
Generic semaglutide is a lower-cost version of the same active ingredient used in Ozempic. In April 2026, Canada became the first G7 country to approve a generic version of semaglutide for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Why would some Canadians need an Ozempic savings card?
While Canada has public healthcare, prescription drug coverage can vary by province, plan and patient situation. In 2024, Canadians paid 21% of prescription drug costs directly out of pocket, according to federal drug-pricing data.
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