How to Get GLP-1 Medications in 2026: A Country-by-Country Guide

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are available in most major markets, but how you access them, what they cost, and what's covered by insurance or national health systems varies enormously by country. This guide covers the six largest GLP-1 markets and what you actually need to know to get access.

United States

What's available: Ozempic (semaglutide, diabetes), Wegovy (semaglutide, obesity), Mounjaro (tirzepatide, diabetes), Zepbound (tirzepatide, obesity). All FDA-approved.

Insurance coverage:

• Diabetes indication (Ozempic/Mounjaro): widely covered by commercial insurance and Medicare Part D
• Obesity indication (Wegovy/Zepbound): highly variable. Some plans cover it, many don't. Medicare Part D now covers Wegovy for patients with cardiovascular disease following a 2024 policy change.

Compounded GLP-1: The FDA ended the shortage exemption that allowed compounding of identical semaglutide and tirzepatide preparations. Combination formulations (with added ingredients like B12) exist in a contested regulatory space. See the full compounded GLP-1 guide for current status.

Without insurance: Ozempic ~$900/month (brand); Wegovy ~$1,350/month. Manufacturer savings cards reduce cost significantly for commercially insured patients.

United Kingdom

What's available: Ozempic (semaglutide, diabetes), Wegovy (semaglutide, obesity), Mounjaro (tirzepatide, both diabetes and obesity indications approved).

NHS coverage:

• Ozempic: available on NHS for type 2 diabetes
• Wegovy: NICE approved for obesity management in 2023; NHS rollout is being phased in through specialist weight management services. Not universally available via GP, currently through specialist referral.
• Mounjaro: NHS diabetes coverage; obesity coverage expanding

Private access: Full private prescription access available immediately through private GPs and weight management clinics. Cost: GBP 150-300/month privately.

The NHS Wegovy rollout has been slower than anticipated due to supply constraints and rollout structure. Many UK patients access Wegovy privately rather than waiting for NHS referral. See the UK GLP-1 guide for full NHS coverage details.

Australia

What's available: Ozempic (approved, PBS-listed for type 2 diabetes), Wegovy (approved but not yet PBS-listed for obesity as of early 2026), Mounjaro/Zepbound (TGA approved).

PBS coverage:

• Ozempic: PBS-listed for type 2 diabetes, subsidised cost ~$30-45/month
• Wegovy: TGA-approved but not yet PBS-listed for obesity. Patients pay full cost (~$400-500/month) until PBS listing is confirmed.
• Mounjaro: TGA approved; PBS listing status evolving

Without PBS subsidy: Brand-name GLP-1s in Australia cost $350-600/month out of pocket.

The gap between TGA approval and PBS listing means many Australians who are not diabetic face full out-of-pocket costs for obesity-indicated GLP-1s. See the Australia GLP-1 guide for current PBS status.

Canada

What's available: Ozempic (semaglutide, Health Canada approved for diabetes), Wegovy (approved for obesity), Mounjaro (tirzepatide, approved for diabetes), Zepbound.

Provincial coverage:

• Ozempic for diabetes: covered by most provincial drug plans and employer benefits
• Wegovy for obesity: coverage varies significantly by province and plan. Ontario (ODB) and BC (PharmaCare) have limited coverage; Alberta has broader coverage through Alberta Blue Cross for eligible patients.
• Private insurance: most employer plans cover GLP-1s for diabetes; obesity coverage is plan-specific

Without coverage: Ozempic ~$350-500 CAD/month; Wegovy ~$500-700 CAD/month.

Canadian compounding pharmacies operate under different regulations than US 503A pharmacies. Some have continued compounding semaglutide and tirzepatide. Discuss with your provider. Availability varies by province. See the full Canada GLP-1 guide for provincial coverage details and costs.

Germany

What's available: Ozempic (approved for diabetes), Wegovy (approved for obesity), Mounjaro (approved for diabetes).

GKV (statutory health insurance) coverage:

• Ozempic for type 2 diabetes: covered by GKV
• Wegovy for obesity: NOT covered by GKV as of 2026. Classified as a lifestyle medication (Lifestyle-Medikament), excluded from statutory coverage.
• Patients must pay out of pocket for Wegovy unless they have private insurance (PKV) with corresponding coverage

PKV (private health insurance): Coverage of Wegovy/Mounjaro for obesity is possible with some private plans. Check your policy.

Cost without coverage: Ozempic ~EUR 180-250/month; Wegovy ~EUR 290-380/month.

Germany has been the most restrictive major European market for GKV coverage of obesity-indication GLP-1s. This drives significant private pay demand and interest in alternatives. See the Germany GLP-1 guide for more detail.

Brazil

What's available: Ozempic (ANVISA-approved for diabetes), Wegovy (ANVISA-approved for obesity), Mounjaro (ANVISA-approved for diabetes), Zepbound.

Coverage: Brazil's public SUS system does not cover GLP-1s for obesity or diabetes as a standard benefit. Coverage through private health plans (planos de saude) is improving but inconsistent.

Compounded GLP-1 in Brazil: Brazil is one of the few major markets where semaglutida manipulada and tirzepatida manipulada remain available through licensed farmacias de manipulacao, even after the US ended its compounding exemption. Brazilian compounding pharmacies can prepare these under ANVISA regulations with a medical prescription.

Cost comparison:

• Ozempic (industrializado): R$1,200-2,000/month
• Semaglutida manipulada: R$200-500/month

This price difference makes Brazil one of the most accessible GLP-1 markets globally for patients without insurance coverage. See the Brazil farmacia de manipulacao guide for the full picture.

Tracking Your GLP-1 Protocol

Whether you're on a brand-name pen or a compounded vial, tracking your GLP-1 protocol gives you the data to know what's actually working: weight trend, sleep quality, resting heart rate, mapped against your dose timeline.

The GLP-1 dose calculator works for any concentration of compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide. Free, no account needed.

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• Smart reminders so you never miss a dose
• Progress tracking with photos and weight
• Medication level curves for every compound

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Frequently Asked Questions