iAtoday

With the end of Ozempic and Wegovy's market exclusivity in Canada, cheaper generics of semaglutide could change the dynamics of prescription drug insurance plans, resulting in lower costs per claim and higher use.

Key conclusions from our expert

In The Globe and Mail, our expert Frédéric Leblanc, pharmacist and Strategic Leader, Drug Programs, presents his main observations:

• Generics are expected to reduce drug plan expenditure, despite the continuous arrival of new, often more expensive treatments.
• Once there are multiple generics on the market, prices could stabilize at around 35% of the cost of brand-name drugs, generating substantial savings for plan sponsors and members alike.
• Coverage: Ozempic (diabetes) is largely covered by plans, while fewer than one in three people benefits from weight management coverage (Wegovy). Lower prices could therefore increase demand for weight management coverage.
• Prior authorization will still be essential: even at reduced prices, GLP-1 treatments will remain one of the main drivers of costs.

You can count on us

With the growing demand for GLP-1 treatments, you can count on us to support you and your clients by:

• Optimizing drug management strategies (list of reimbursable drugs, generic substitutions and best practices for prior authorization).
• Evaluating coverage options related to obesity and weight management based on clinical evidence and sustainability, with a clear goal in mind: to support access to cutting-edge medications and promote total wellbeing.
• Communicating clearly with plan members to encourage appropriate adoption and adherence to generics.

Questions?

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact your iA Financial Group Account Executive to discuss available coverage options, including our weight management offer.

Useful resources

Globe and Mail article

Weight management: our offer

Weight management: our white paper