To Your Health: Cheaper Ozempic Alternative Arrives

“It doesn’t hurt to ask, and it will save you quite a bit of money. Thankfully, it’s about a third of the cost of the brand name,” Pallot said. “So it’s definitely something to ask about when you call in for your refill.”

The price difference is significant. Patients who pay the full price for the brand-name drug could see their monthly costs drop by about two-thirds, depending on the dose and pharmacy markup.

One of the best things for patients is that they don’t need to book a new appointment to switch.

Provincial rules let pharmacists make generic substitutions. This means you can switch to the generic at the pharmacy counter as soon as it’s available.

“If your doctor has prescribed you semaglutide, we can safely change you to a generic formulation of the injectable semaglutide without any consultation with your doctor,” Pallot said.

If you want to keep using the brand-name product, you can. Switching to the generic is just an option, not something you have to do.

The main challenge isn’t paperwork, it’s inventory.

Pallot says the manufacturer released the generic before ensuring a reliable, steady supply, resulting in immediate shortages. Pharmacies have had to tell patients the product is out of stock, sometimes only weeks after it first arrived.

“They’re not trying to pull your leg or anything,” Pallot said. “Unfortunately, we’re just having trouble getting enough supply into pharmacies, but hopefully it will be steady soon.”

Pallot’s advice is simple: ask about the generic every time you call for a refill. Stock changes every week, so what was out of stock last time might be available now.w.

If you use extended health benefits, check if your plan now covers the lower-cost generic. Many insurers begin reimbursing at the generic price once it is available. For now, the generic is a money-saver for the patients who can get it.

by Dave Branco

To Your Health: Cheaper Ozempic Alternative Arrives

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