Ozempic could be available in pharmacies in Ukraine by the end of May 2026
This is outlined in the doctor’s guidance on the use of the incretin-based medicines Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Munjaro.
Incretin-based medicines, which include Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Munjaro, have significantly changed the approach to treating obesity and related conditions in recent years.
Their effectiveness in weight loss, normalising blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol has been confirmed by studies involving hundreds of thousands of patients.
At the same time, doctors in Ukraine have long been cautious about prescribing such drugs. The main reason is not just the price or side effects, but the lack of most officially imported and registered drugs on the Ukrainian market.
Why doctors are cautious about incretins
One of the main drawbacks of such drugs is that their effect wears off once treatment is stopped.
However, as the doctor explains, incretins are not antibiotics and do not ‘eliminate’ the cause of obesity. They influence the mechanisms that contribute to weight gain and the development of metabolic disorders.
Therefore, the temporary nature of the effect should not automatically be a reason to refuse treatment if the patient genuinely needs the drug.
At the same time, diet and regular physical activity remain essential parts of the treatment, regardless of which medication is prescribed.
Side effects and cost
Another common argument against incretins is side effects.
Nausea and constipation are the most common side effects at the start of treatment with these drugs. These symptoms usually subside and can be alleviated by following the doctor’s dietary advice.
In some cases, anti-nausea or laxative medication may be required.
The doctor notes that potential short-term and mild side effects should not outweigh the benefits of effective treatment.
A separate issue is the high cost of the drugs. At the same time, the steady demand for incretin-based medicines shows that cost is not always the main barrier to starting treatment.
The main problem is illegal imports
The doctor identifies the key risk for Ukraine as the fact that most of these medicines have not yet been officially available in pharmacies.
According to him, over the last 5–6 years, only Saxenda, based on liraglutide, has been officially available in Ukraine. This drug is effective in treating diabetes, but its impact on body weight and other metabolic markers, apart from blood sugar and insulin resistance indicators, is considered insufficient.
At the same time, the import and use of other incretin-based drugs in Ukraine remained unofficial, illegal and potentially dangerous.
Such medicines require adherence to the ‘cold chain’ during transport. Transporting them in a suitcase without temperature control may pose risks to the quality of the medicine.
Another widespread problem is the counterfeiting and sale of unregistered drugs of unknown origin.
When Ozempic may appear in pharmacies
According to available information, Novo Nordisk may hold an official launch of Ozempic in Ukraine on 15 May 2026.
The drug was officially registered in Ukraine back in 2022.
It is expected that Ozempic may appear in Ukrainian pharmacies by the end of May 2026.
Also, according to the doctor, Wegovy – a drug from the same group, which has official indications for the treatment of obesity – has been registered in Ukraine for two years. It is expected to appear in pharmacies next year.
Separately, the possible registration of a Ukrainian generic semaglutide is mentioned. According to the doctor’s assessment, this could happen in the coming months.
If this occurs, the cost and availability of the drugs may be less dependent on global pharmaceutical market strategies.
As reported by ThePublic, it is possible to lose weight without injections: Chinese scientists have invented a ‘new Ozempic’
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