This is a practical guide to getting Ozempic in Manitoba. I cover Manitoba Pharmacare coverage criteria, what to expect at the pharmacy counter, the best online providers for Manitobans, and how the generic semaglutide launch in May 2026 will change your options. Pricing reflects April 2026 quotes.
If you’re new to Ozempic, start at /ozempic/ for the full overview. If you already have a prescription and want the lowest price, read /ozempic/cheapest/. If you want to compare online providers for Manitobans, go to /ozempic/best/.
How to Get Ozempic in Manitoba
Manitobans have three realistic paths to an Ozempic prescription:
- Your family doctor or nurse practitioner. If you already see one regularly, ask about Ozempic at your next appointment. This is the cheapest path because there’s no telehealth consult fee.
- A Canadian telehealth service. Felix, Maple, Hims Canada and a handful of others run clinical assessments online and issue a prescription if you qualify.
- A local endocrinologist or diabetes clinic. If your type 2 diabetes is complex or your A1C is poorly controlled, a referral may give you faster access to intensive support.
Once you have a prescription, you fill it at any licensed Canadian pharmacy. Manitoba Pharmacare requires two prior antidiabetic trials (vs. one in B.C. and Ontario), so talk with your prescriber about documentation before submitting an EDS request.
Ozempic Coverage Under Manitoba Pharmacare
Manitoba Pharmacare Program covers Ozempic as a Exception Drug Status (EDS) benefit for eligible patients [1]. Here are the rules that matter:
Who Qualifies for Coverage
Your prescriber submits an Exception Drug Status request attesting to a type 2 diabetes diagnosis and an inadequate response to at least two other antidiabetic medications tried in combination with diet and exercise. Weight-management use is not covered.
What You Pay if Approved
Manitoba Pharmacare is income-based. Your annual household deductible applies before coverage kicks in. Ozempic is not eligible for the no-deductible Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program (MEPP), so you pay the Pharmacare deductible even after approval.
What’s Changed Recently
Claims for Ozempic under Manitoba Pharmacare grew from about 17,600 in 2021 to over 88,000 in 2024, reflecting a large increase in type 2 diabetes prescribing. [2]
If your household deductible is too high to trigger Pharmacare coverage in a given year, private insurance or out-of-pocket pays are the alternatives. See /ozempic/coverage/ for the nationwide view of provincial drug plans.
Best Online Providers for Manitobans
Telehealth is often the fastest path to Ozempic in Manitoba, especially if you don’t have a family doctor. Here are the six Canadian online providers I compared.
Top pick: BirchRx is our highest-rated Canadian GLP-1 provider for 2026 (9.5/10) if you live in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta or Saskatchewan. The assessment is free and you pay nothing unless a licensed Canadian physician approves you, so month one costs $149 against $308 at MyRocky and $248 at Felix. Ongoing months are $199, everything included. See if you qualify or read our full BirchRx review. Outside those four provinces, or if you want a brand-name GLP-1, MyRocky (9.1/10) is the pick: a one-time $99 consult covers lab work, generic semaglutide runs $149 a month plus a $60 monthly program fee, and it serves all 10 provinces from its own LegitScript-certified pharmacy in Mississauga. Across a full year BirchRx also costs less, roughly $2,338 against $2,607 once MyRocky’s $60 monthly program fee is counted. Visit MyRocky.
| Provider | Monthly Program Cost | Consultation Fee | Coverage | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BirchRx ⭐ Top Pick (ON, BC, AB, SK) | $149 first month, then $199 | Free assessment, pay only if approved | ON, BC, AB and SK only | Visit BirchRx |
| MyRocky (best 12-month value) | Generic $149 + $60/mo fee / Brand from $200 | $99 once + $60/mo program fee | All 10 provinces | Visit MyRocky |
| Felix Health | Brand $149/pen / Generic $149/pen | Free visit; $40 follow-ups as needed | All provinces except QC | Visit Felix |
| Maple | Via pharmacy | $69 per consult | All provinces | Visit Maple |
| Hims Canada | From $149 | Included | Select provinces | Visit Hims |
| Jill Health | Pricing on assessment | Included in program | Most provinces | Visit Jill |
| DooU | Pricing on assessment | Included in program | Most provinces | Visit DooU |
| Raven | Pricing on assessment | Included in program | Most provinces | Visit Raven |
Provider reviews: BirchRx (top pick in ON, BC, AB and SK), MyRocky (best value nationwide), Felix, Maple, Hims Canada, Jill Health, DooU and Raven.
All six telehealth services on this list accept new patients from Manitoba as of April 2026.
For a full scenario-by-scenario breakdown across all provinces, read /ozempic/best/.
Pharmacy Options and Pricing in Manitoba
Ozempic sticker price in Manitoba typically runs $250 to $375 per month for the 1.0 mg dose, depending on the pharmacy [3]. Here’s how the major chains compare.
| Pharmacy | 1.0 mg Price (April 2026) | Membership Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | $250 to $260 | No (for pharmacy use) | Lowest in-person price in most cities |
| Walmart | $270 to $290 | No | Wide network across the province |
| Shoppers Drug Mart | $310 to $345 | No | Most locations; PC Optimum points |
| Rexall | $276 to $289 | No | Higher default markup; watch for promos |
| Independent pharmacies | $270 to $360 | No | Varies; some price-match Costco |
You do not need a Costco membership to use Costco’s pharmacy in Canada [4]. See /ozempic/costco/ for provincial pricing detail.
Major Manitoba Cities With Ozempic-Filling Pharmacies
Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Thompson, Portage la Prairie all have multiple licensed pharmacies filling Ozempic. If you live in a rural area, your local independent pharmacy or a mail-order dispense from a telehealth provider is typically the easiest route.
Medical Expense Tax Credit for Ozempic Spending
Out-of-pocket costs for Ozempic count as eligible medical expenses for the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) [5]. For the 2026 tax year, the threshold is the lesser of $2,834 or 3% of net income. Keep every pharmacy receipt. Manitoba also has a provincial tax credit component that stacks on top of the federal METC.
Generic Semaglutide Now Available in Manitoba
Novo Nordisk’s Canadian data exclusivity on semaglutide expired on January 4, 2026 [6]. Health Canada has now authorized two generic manufacturers — Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (April 28, 2026) and Apotex Inc. (May 1, 2026). Dr. Reddy's generic was recalled on August 26, 2026 and remains off the market; Apotex's is on pharmacy shelves. Additional applications from Sandoz, Teva Canada and other manufacturers remain under review. Industry timelines point to the first generic semaglutide reaching Canadian pharmacies in May 2026, priced around $100 to $150 per month.
For Manitobans, that means three things:
- Out-of-pocket cost for Ozempic alternatives drops sharply once generics reach pharmacy shelves.
- Manitoba Pharmacare may list the generic for coverage ahead of or alongside Ozempic once formulary review completes.
- Your telehealth provider or pharmacist can switch you from Ozempic to generic semaglutide once both are available, as long as your prescriber agrees.
Generic semaglutide is now also available in-person at Canadian pharmacies including Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, Costco, and Walmart, typically priced at $85 to $120 per month depending on the pharmacy — with Costco usually lowest. That makes the in-person retail route generally cheaper than telehealth providers like Felix Health, which charges $149 per month for the same generic.
FAQ
Is Ozempic covered by Manitoba Pharmacare?
Manitoba Pharmacare covers Ozempic as a Exception Drug Status (EDS) benefit for type 2 diabetes when specific clinical criteria are met. Weight-management use is not covered.
How do I submit a Special Authority or Limited Use request?
Your prescriber submits the request on your behalf using the provincial eForm or fax form. Manitoba expects documentation of type 2 diabetes and at least one (or two, in Manitoba) prior antidiabetic drug trial. Approval is usually faster when submitted electronically.
Does Felix or Maple ship Ozempic to Manitoba?
Yes, both Felix Health and Maple prescribe and coordinate dispensing for Manitobans. Felix uses asynchronous intake; Maple offers live visits.
What’s the cheapest pharmacy in Manitoba for Ozempic?
Costco typically runs $250 to $260 for the 1.0 mg dose in Manitoba, about $50 to $80 below Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall. You do not need a Costco membership to use the pharmacy.
Since the May 2026 generic launch, the cheapest way to get the Ozempic molecule in Manitoba is generic semaglutide (Apo-Semaglutide), roughly $88 to $99 per month at Costco Pharmacy, well below the brand price. Ask your pharmacist about substituting the generic. See our generic semaglutide guide.
Is generic semaglutide covered by my provincial plan?
Health Canada has approved Dr. Reddy's and Apotex (April–May 2026), and Manitoba Pharmacare is updating its formulary listings through June 2026 (typical timeline for new generic listings). When listed, generic semaglutide is expected to be covered at a substantially lower cost than brand Ozempic. Expect listing to follow the launch by a few months.
Can I use Ozempic for weight loss in Manitoba?
Off-label weight-management use is legal and common in Canada, but Manitoba Pharmacare will not cover Ozempic for weight loss. Wegovy is the on-label weight-management option, though provincial coverage for Wegovy is similarly limited.
Where can I track supply of Ozempic in Canada?
Health Canada’s Drug Shortages Canada website lists current supply status for Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications. As of April 2026 availability has largely normalized after the 2023 and 2024 shortages.
This article is informational and is not a substitute for medical advice from your prescribing clinician. Always confirm pricing directly with the pharmacy before filling.
Sources
- Manitoba Pharmacare Program: Official Program Information: Provincial drug plan rules, eligibility and enrolment details for Manitoba.
- Manitoba Pharmacare Formulary: Semaglutide Listing: Check current formulary listing and coverage conditions for Ozempic in Manitoba.
- Health Canada: Drug Product Database for Ozempic (semaglutide): Official Canadian listing of approved Ozempic products, DINs and product monograph.
- Costco Canada: Pharmacy Services: Costco Canada pharmacy does not require a membership under Canadian regulation.
- Canada Revenue Agency: Medical Expense Tax Credit: 2026 tax-year METC threshold of $2,834 and eligible medical-expense rules.
- Patented Medicine Prices Review Board: Generic Drug Pipeline (2026): Industry reporting on generic semaglutide submissions under Health Canada review.
- SUSTAIN 6: Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (NEJM, 2016): Landmark cardiovascular outcomes trial for Ozempic.
- Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH): Semaglutide Reimbursement Review: CADTH reimbursement guidance used by provincial drug plans.
- Drug Shortages Canada: Health Canada-run site tracking current Ozempic and semaglutide supply status.