Wegovy is available to Canadian patients from Monday the 6th of May, with a delay of two and a half years since it was approved by Health Canada.
Main factors affecting Wegovy’s availability in Canada are:
- Canadian approval
- Canadian distribution
- supply chain issues due to high demand.
In these article we will cover:
- Where to buy Wegovy in Canada
- Criteria for receiving prescription
- How to get prescription online
- Canadian regulations and Canadian reimbursement regarding Wegovy
- Canadian pricing of Wegovy.
Where to Buy Wegovy in Canada
Canadian pharmacies that can dispense Wegovy include Jill.Health, Rexall, Jean Coutu, Pharmasave, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix, London Drugs and Lawton Drugs.
There are set criteria and regulations for issuing Wegovy prescription by Canadian healthcare system to ensure safety of Canadian patients and proper use:
- medical consultation with Canadian healthcare providers to discuss patient’s medical history
- analyzing all available options
- issuing a prescription if Wegovy seems suitable
- follow up appointments to monitor results, potential side effects and adjust dosage if necessary
- selection of an authorized pharmacy
- insurance verification if patient has one
- consultation with the pharmacist
- scheduling of follow up appointments to obtain refills and report potential adverse effects.
Criteria for Receiving Wegovy Canada Prescription
Consultation with a qualified Canadian health provider consists of discussion about the:
- patient’s medical history
- allergies
- current medications
- underlying medical conditions
- patient’s struggles
- patient’s expectations and goals.
Obesity is accompanied with a range of medical illnesses, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and impaired mental health whose addressing can significantly increase the quality of life and life span of obese people.
Failure of Previous Weight Management Interventions
When previous weight loss management interventions:
- switching to healthy diet
- increasing physical activity
- behavioral therapy
have failed, Wegovy is taken into consideration.
Initial BMI
Patients eligible for Wegovy prescription are those with body mass index (BMI)>30 or BMI>27 with underlying health conditions (diabetes type 2, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea or high cholesterol).
CATEGORY | BMI RANGE |
Underweight | <18.5 |
Normal Weight | 18.5-24.9 |
Overweight | 25-29.9 |
Obese | >30 |
How to Get Wegovy Prescription Online Canada
Wegovy prescription can be obtained online following these steps:
- creating an account
- scheduling an appointment
- having an online consultation with a Canadian healthcare professional (primary care provider, endocrinologist or bariatric specialist)
- if Wegovy is deemed necessary then the medical provider will issue a prescription.
Health Evaluation
Canadian healthcare professional must conduct a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s medical history, inquiring about:
- current health status
- goals
- sleep
- emotional well-being
- lifestyle
- preferences.
They might order a blood test prior to issuing a prescription.
Discussing Options
Consultation with a Canadian healthcare provider regarding weight-loss goals should shed light on doubts and questions patient has, such as:
- what is a healthy weight range
- how long it should take to reach desired weight
- could weight be affected by medications or supplements patient is already taking
- is a patient a good candidate for weight-loss medication like Wegovy if lifestyle changes didn’t bring any results so far?
There is a form with questions that the patient can fill out and bring to the appointment.
Follow-up
Regular follow-up appointments upon starting Wegovy for weight-loss are important to monitor progress, adjust treatment plan if needed or even change medication if necessary.
Patient should always consult healthcare provider if there are any concerns regarding:
- side effects
- effectiveness of Wegovy
- dosage adjustment.
Can You Get Wegovy in Canada? Understanding Regulations
Weight-loss medicine Wegovy is available to Canadian consumers from May 6.
Insurance Coverage
Certain companies offer health benefits to their employees, but employer should be contacted to check if Wegovy prescription can be covered by company benefits.
Private health insurance coverage of Wegovy will depend on the company’s policy and provider’s restrictions but they will take the case into consideration only if certain medical criteria are met.
Reporting Requirements
Canadian healthcare professionals and Canadian consumers can report side effects by filling out the form provided by Health Canada and also to the market authorization holder.
All suspected side effects should be reported, especially:
- unexpected ones, no matter how severe they are
- serious side effects, regardless if they were expected or not
- reactions to products that are on the market for less than five years.
Completed forms can be submitted by fax, mail or by telephone.
Price of Wegovy in Canada
Without Insurance
Novo Nordisk Canada stated that the price for all Wegovy dosage strengths is $388.64 per package for a 28-day supply, but “medication pricing in Canada is influenced by multiple factors including federal, provincial and territorial governments and insurance providers, and prices may vary person to person.”
With Public Insurance (Ontario Drug Benefit)
Ontario residents who have an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) could be eligible for OHIP+ or Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program:
- OHIP+ enables access to over 5,000 different drug products for anyone under 24 with a health card number and valid prescription that has no private insurance.
- Seniors (65 years old people and older) are eligible for ODB. Also, ODB offers its services to people under 65 years of age under certain conditions.
With Private Insurance
It is still too early to know if private insurers will cover Wegovy or whether it will be added to provincial and territorial governments public drug benefit programs.
Key Takeaways
- Wegovy is a weight-loss prescription medication approved by Health Canada available for Canadian market starting May 6
- People with BMI>30 or BMI>27 with underlying health conditions (diabetes type 2, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure or sleep apnea) are eligible for prescription
- Prescription for Wegovy can be obtained following consultation with a Canadian healthcare provider in person or online
- Wegovy can be purchased from authorized pharmacies for the full price of $388.64 per package for a 28-day supply.
- It is still uncertain if private insurers will cover Wegovy or whether it will be added to regional and local public drug benefit programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Shortage of Wegovy in Canada?
At the moment there are no shortages of Wegovy in Canada.
What is a Cheaper Version of Wegovy?
There are no lower-cost generic alternatives to Wegovy at the moment, whereas alternatives with similar effects are: Saxenda, Contrave, Xenical and Qsymia.
Can I Travel Internationally with Wegovy?
When traveling internationally by air Wegovy pen (stable at 7-30°C for up to 28 days) should be kept in carry-on luggage to avoid freezing in the baggage compartment.
Note from a doctor should be at hand to be shown to airport security staff.
Sources
CADTH Reimbursement Recommendation
Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management
Obesity as pleiotropic risk state for metabolic and mental health throughout life
How to travel with Wegovy® pens?
Weight-loss drug Wegovy available in Canada starting May 6
Effectiveness of weight management interventions for adults delivered in primary care
Explaining the failures of obesity therapy
6 scientifically-proven obesity treatment options to manage weight
Can treatment of obesity reduce depression or vice versa?
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