Canada · Ontario
Generic Ozempic cost in Ontario
Applies to: Ontario, Canada
By Joshua Nichvolodoff · Fact-checked against sources November 2, 2026 · Next review due January 31, 2027
Clinical review: not yet reviewed by a clinician. How review works · Editorial policy
For Ontarians, generic semaglutide reached pharmacy shelves in 2026 at a fraction of the brand price. Here is what was reported, and how the Ontario Drug Benefit fits — dated and linked.
What was reported in Ontario
Teletest.ca, a price tracker that phoned Ontario pharmacies, reported on June 9, 2026 these cash prices for a generic pen, including the dispensing fee: Costco $88.88[3], Rexall $99.00[3] and Shoppers Drug Mart $103.53[3]. It reported brand Ozempic at $258.19–$282[3] a month.
These are one survey's figures from one date, not current prices. Ask your own pharmacy for a quote.
How ODB coverage works
The Ontario Drug Benefit covers semaglutide as a Limited Use benefit for adults with type 2 diabetes when adequate blood-sugar control isn't achieved on the maximum tolerated dose of metformin, or where metformin is contraindicated or inappropriate. The Limited Use reason code is 665, 666 or 667, depending on the pen[1].
From June 30, 2026, the generics were listed as interchangeable with Ozempic[2]. The price ODB pays per pen is $78.1410 generic vs $227.94 Ozempic (as reported by Ontario Ministry of Health, June 30, 2026; checked November 2, 2026 — may have changed)[2] — what the plan pays the pharmacy, not what a cash customer pays[4].
ODB covers groups including people 65 and over, people 24 or younger without a private plan, people receiving Ontario Works or ODSP, long-term care residents, home and community care recipients, and people registered with the Trillium Drug Program[5].
The weight-loss caveat
ODB's Limited Use criteria for semaglutide are for type 2 diabetes[1]. Semaglutide prescribed for weight management is typically paid out of pocket or through private insurance.
A calm next step
Have a quote from your own pharmacy? Work out your monthly and yearly cost — it runs in your browser, and nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Prices and coverage are point-in-time and change. General information, not medical advice. Light Years earns nothing from any product named here.
Log your doses and the pens you have on hand, so you can see when a refill is due. Open my tracker or browse the other guides.
Sources
- Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary — Limited Use criteria, semaglutide. Ontario Ministry of Health. https://www.formulary.health.gov.on.ca/formulary/limitedUseNotes.xhtml?pcg9Id=682006002. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- ODB Formulary Edition 43 — Summary of Changes, June 2026 (effective June 30, 2026). Ontario Ministry of Health, June 23, 2026. https://ontario.ca/files/2026-06/moh-ontario-drug-benefit-odb-formulary-edition-43-summary-en-2026-06-23.pdf. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- Ozempic cost in Canada (June 2026) — pharmacy phone survey, Ontario. Teletest.ca (price tracker), June 9, 2026. https://teletest.ca/cost/drug/ozempic/. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary — Ozempic (DIN 02471477) and interchangeable products. Ontario Ministry of Health. https://www.formulary.health.gov.on.ca/formulary/detail.xhtml?drugId=02471477. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- Get coverage for prescription drugs. Government of Ontario. https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-coverage-prescription-drugs. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
Figures marked “as reported” are historical: they show what the source said on that date, not today's price or rule.
Changes to this page
- — Corrected the ODB Limited Use code (474 → 665–667); prices attributed to a dated survey; added Key facts.
- — First published.
Substantive corrections are also logged at corrections.