Obesity Care in Canada:
The Promise and Price of Progress
In recent years, we’ve witnessed a revolution in how we treat obesity and metabolic disease. Medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual-agonist therapies have transformed the landscape — offering sustained weight loss and measurable improvements in diabetes, blood pressure, and cardiovascular risk.
But this progress comes with a significant price tag. In Canada, these medications typically cost $250 to $600 per month, depending on the drug, dose, and pharmacy. For many Canadians, that’s an expense simply out of reach — especially since most provincial and private insurance plans do not yet cover these drugs when prescribed primarily for weight management.
This creates a troubling reality: those who could benefit the most are often the least able to afford treatment. Obesity remains a chronic, relapsing medical condition, not a lifestyle choice — and access to effective, evidence-based care should not depend on personal finances.
That said, there are financial assistance programs available through the manufacturers that can help offset costs for eligible patients:
Novo Nordisk Care® – offers coverage navigation tools, savings cards, and financial support for Novo Nordisk medications such as Wegovy® and Ozempic®. novonordiskcare.ca
My Zepbound™ – provides patient support and potential savings options for Eli Lilly’s Zepbound®. myzepbound.ca
My Mounjaro™ – offers similar resources for Mounjaro®, another Eli Lilly product. mymounjaro.ca
These programs may help bridge the gap until broader coverage policies are in place.
Dr. Ur is a regular guest on the WELL with Felicia Podcast available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Dr. Ehud Ur speaks with Felicia Tsam about Ozempic and similar medications and their side effects on WELL with Felicia - Listen here
