One thing Santa won’t be bringing this year is a new supply of the type 2 diabetes drug, Ozempic. A ‘wonder drug’ that is popular for being an appetite suppressant, it is more known for its weight loss benefits than anything else.

Many people suffering from type 2 diabetes are still complaining about the price of the drug and what’s worse, the lack of stability in different pharmacies. The HSE says they do not set the Olympic price, which is between the pharmacy and the supplier.

EVOKE researched the cost of Ozempic across the country to find out which counties charge the most and which counties charge the least for the sought-after drug.

Perhaps surprisingly, Dublin did not seem to pay much for a weekly injection. Everywhere, Ozempic appears to be priced at €133-€155, with a few retailers charging as much as €185 for the drug.

On top of this, it is very difficult to find this drug. Almost all the pharmacies that shared their prices also added that they have no product left, due to the high number of people desperate to get their hands on it.

A pharmacist told EVOKE that the drug’s distributor has sent a letter to distributors nationwide to say that Ozempic will no longer be available this fall or winter. Any chemists selling the drug this fall will have it in stock. Here is the price being charged for Ozempic nationwide…

Dublin

Northside:

If you’re hoping to find Ozempic in north Dublin, you’re in luck. A pharmacist at Edward McManus Pharmacy in Ballymun explained: ‘It’s very hard to find and we only get patients with medical cards’. The business charges €150 for a month’s supply of the drug.

McCabes Pharmacy in Artane also sells from low prices, which usually come in at €142.

southside:

In south Dublin, the cost of getting a monthly supply of Ozempic is very similar. Meaghers Pharmacy on Baggot Street costs €159 for one month.

At Lloyds in Donnybrook, the drug costs €154 for a one-month supply. Hotels are cheaper than its competitors, apparently charging €133.69 across the board.

Kildare

In Kildare there is also an acute shortage of medicine. McCabes Pharmacy in Athy charges €140 to buy the drug on the spot, €2 cheaper than its counterpart in Dublin.

Meanwhile, at Connolly’s Pharmacy in Kildare Town, it costs €150 to buy a month’s supply.

Laois

If you’ve thought about heading to the Midlands to get Ozempic on the cheap, go back to the drawing board! You will not find that the cost of drugs has dropped significantly.

At Lloyds Pharmacy in Portlaoise, you will pay €140, which is €14 cheaper than its counterpart in Dublin 4. However, if you find yourself in Abbeyleix, you may pay €155 to get hands to Ozempic.

Limerick

Medicine seems to be a little cheaper in Munster, and Limerick seems to be a cheaper city to buy supplies. Lloyds Pharmacy in this area charges €130 for a month’s worth, €24 less than their store in Donnybrook.

O’Malleys Pharmacy charges €134.95, explaining that the price that each pharmacy puts: ‘It depends on their plan and delivery. It is a choice we have made because it is very expensive and is not covered by any plans.’

Kerry

You can expect to pay more when hunting in Ozempic Kerry.

O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy in Killarney charges €185 for a month’s supply, explaining: ‘It depends on demand and the price you pay – where you get it.’

Galway

In Galway, prices are well in line with its competitors as Whelan’s Pharmacy charges €140 and Boots comes in at €133.69.

Mayo

If you’re heading west to find Ozempic, O’Donnell’s TotalHealth Pharmacy in Mayo charges €150 for a month’s supply while Treacy’s Pharmacy sells the drug for €140.

It has disappeared

You’ll be hard-pressed to find an Ozempic for less than €150 in Offaly. One pharmacist explained that they ‘can’t understand how a chemist can charge €130’ for a month’s supply of medicine. They say it may be the case that this drug acts as a loss leader so that when a customer comes in, they also buy something else.

Stratus Healthcare Pharmacy charges €155, while Haven Pharmacy sells the drug for €150.

It should be noted that patients using Ozempic to treat type 2 diabetes can be reimbursed by the HSE under the Long Term Illness Scheme. However, those who use this medicine to treat any other diseases are not entitled to reimbursement.

The mayor of Rio de Janeiro promises to make an Ozempic-style version of the city’s health network available – if he wins re-election. The top 5 highest paid CEOs made more than $60 million last year. And CVS Health Corporation (CVS) plans to cut 2,900 jobs as part of a multi-year cost-savings plan aimed at cutting costs and increasing investment in AI.

Check out the stories and medical news highlights from this week.

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