Countries Where Semaglutide Is Available: A Global Perspective on Ozempic and Wegovy

October 11, 2025 •

5 min read

As of early 2025, semaglutide, marketed under various brand names, is available in dozens of countries worldwide, with availability expanding rapidly, particularly in major markets like the US, China, and across Europe. However, its use and reimbursement policies differ significantly depending on the country and specific product formulation.

Quick Summary

Semaglutide's global availability varies significantly by its brand name and intended use, with Ozempic for diabetes having broader access than Wegovy for weight loss. Different countries have distinct regulatory approvals, reimbursement policies, and market availability, affecting patient access and cost.

Key Points

Broad Global Presence: Semaglutide is available in dozens of countries, including major markets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Brand-Specific Availability: The availability and purpose differ by brand; Ozempic (diabetes) has a broader, longer-established market than Wegovy (weight loss), which is newer and more geographically limited.
Regulatory and Reimbursement Variations: National health authorities govern approvals, and reimbursement policies vary by country, affecting access and affordability. Some countries, like Germany, do not reimburse Wegovy via statutory insurance.
Supply Chain Challenges: High global demand has led to significant supply shortages, impacting availability even in approved markets.
Emerging Markets: Availability is expanding rapidly in growing markets like China and Brazil, though issues such as cost and reimbursement status remain.
Future Access: Global access is expected to improve as manufacturing expands and potentially with the introduction of generics after patents expire, around 2031 in many key regions.

The Global Expansion of Semaglutide

Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has become one of the most sought-after medications globally for both type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Developed by Novo Nordisk, its worldwide expansion has occurred in stages, driven by regulatory approvals in major pharmaceutical markets such as the United States and the European Union, followed by launches in other countries. However, this global rollout has been uneven, with differing timelines and conditions of access.

Key Markets for Semaglutide Products

The availability of semaglutide depends heavily on which product is being considered (Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus) and the country's regulatory landscape. Some regions may have Ozempic approved for diabetes but not Wegovy for weight management, or vice versa, based on local health authority decisions.

United States: The U.S. is a dominant market for all semaglutide products. Ozempic (for type 2 diabetes) was approved in 2017, Wegovy (for weight loss) in 2021, and Rybelsus (the oral tablet for diabetes) in 2019. High demand often leads to shortages, though availability continues to expand.

European Union: The European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted marketing authorization for Ozempic in 2018 and Wegovy in 2022. Individual EU countries then manage their own pricing and reimbursement policies. Key markets with significant availability include:

Germany: All three products—Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy—are available. However, Germany's statutory health insurance does not reimburse weight-loss medications like Wegovy.
Denmark: The home country of manufacturer Novo Nordisk, Ozempic and Wegovy have been widely available for years.
France: Availability exists for all forms, but reimbursement policies for Wegovy have been restrictive, focusing on patients with higher Body Mass Index (BMI).
Spain and Italy: Wegovy and other products have seen launches in these major European markets.
United Kingdom: Ozempic is available, while Wegovy has seen a more controlled and limited launch. The National Health Service (NHS) offers prescribed semaglutide, with specific criteria for obesity treatment.

Asia-Pacific: Market penetration is growing significantly in this region.

Japan: Approvals for Ozempic came in 2018 and Rybelsus in 2020. Wegovy was launched in 2024, representing its entry into the first Asian country.
China: With a large population and rising rates of diabetes and obesity, Ozempic was approved in 2021, and Wegovy was launched in November 2024. Reimbursement is a key factor here, with diabetes use covered but weight-loss use currently not.
Australia: Ozempic was approved in 2019. Wegovy launched in August 2024, but is not subsidized under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Americas: Beyond the US, other nations have access.

Canada: Ozempic was approved in 2018. Wegovy became available in May 2024.
Brazil: Ozempic and Wegovy are both available.

Middle East: Availability is also increasing in this region.

United Arab Emirates: Wegovy was launched here in late 2023.

Factors Influencing Semaglutide Availability

Several factors contribute to the varied and often staggered availability of semaglutide across different countries:

Regulatory Approvals: Each country has its own health authority (e.g., FDA in the U.S., EMA in the EU) that must review and approve a drug for specific indications. This process can take years.
Reimbursement Policies: Government and private insurance coverage vary, impacting affordability. In some countries, Wegovy is classified as a "lifestyle drug" and is not reimbursed, making it prohibitively expensive for many.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain: The immense global demand for semaglutide has created significant production bottlenecks and supply shortages. Novo Nordisk is continuously scaling up production, but meeting demand has been a persistent challenge.
Generic Competition and Patent Law: Patent expiration dates differ by country. For example, some jurisdictions have seen the emergence of generic semaglutide versions due to expiring or challenged patents, though Novo Nordisk remains the only globally approved manufacturer.
Healthcare System Structure: The structure of a country's healthcare system, whether it is public, private, or a mix, influences how quickly and widely new medications are adopted and how accessible they are to the general population.

Ozempic vs. Wegovy vs. Rybelsus: A Comparison of Global Availability


Feature	Ozempic (Injection for T2D)	Wegovy (Injection for Weight Loss)	Rybelsus (Oral Tablet for T2D)
Approval	First approved globally, in most major markets starting in 2017-2018.	Approved later than Ozempic due to higher dose formulation, with rollouts beginning in 2021.	Approved later than Ozempic, with rollouts beginning in 2019.
Market Availability	Widely available across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.	Availability is more staggered and limited, with launches in North America, key European countries, Australia, Japan, and parts of the Middle East.	Available in a more limited number of countries than Ozempic, including the US, EU, and Japan.
Demand & Shortages	High demand for both approved and off-label use has caused global shortages.	Extremely high demand since launch has led to significant supply constraints.	Demand is also high, but the shortages are less publicized than the injectable versions.
Reimbursement	Generally covered by public and private insurance for its approved use in type 2 diabetes.	Reimbursement is often more restricted or non-existent, sometimes classified as a 'lifestyle drug'.	Coverage for type 2 diabetes is generally similar to Ozempic in markets where it is available.
Primary Indication	Type 2 Diabetes	Chronic Weight Management	Type 2 Diabetes

Access Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite the increasing number of countries where semaglutide is available, significant challenges remain. Global supply shortages, driven by unprecedented demand, have left many people unable to access the medication, especially those with type 2 diabetes who need it most. In response, some countries have taken steps to restrict off-label use or impose export bans to protect domestic supply.

Looking forward, global access will likely improve as Novo Nordisk continues to expand production and new competitors enter the market, particularly after key patents expire around 2031 in the US and Europe. In the meantime, national governments and healthcare systems will need to balance soaring demand with equitable access, prioritizing patients with the greatest medical need. Initiatives from organizations like the Gates Foundation could also help extend access to lower-income countries in the future.

Conclusion

Semaglutide's global footprint continues to grow, with its availability shaped by a complex interplay of regulatory decisions, market dynamics, and manufacturing capabilities. While patients in many developed countries have access to Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, this access comes with different prices, reimbursement conditions, and potential supply issues. As the medication becomes more widespread, navigating these country-specific differences is crucial for patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers alike. The ongoing expansion, coupled with efforts to address supply constraints and improve access, will define the future of this transformative medication worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, semaglutide is not available in all countries. Its availability depends on a series of regulatory approvals, manufacturing capacity, and pricing negotiations within each nation. Distribution is often staggered, with major markets like the U.S. and some European countries receiving it first, followed by others.

Ozempic, used for type 2 diabetes, has been available longer and in a wider range of countries. Wegovy, the higher-dose version for weight management, was approved more recently and is available in fewer countries, often with more restrictive access policies.

The global shortage is primarily due to soaring demand, particularly for off-label use for weight loss, which has outpaced the manufacturer's production capacity. Efforts are ongoing to increase manufacturing to meet this unprecedented demand.

Reimbursement varies significantly by country and product. Ozempic for diabetes is often covered, but coverage for Wegovy for weight loss is much less common. In some places, it is not reimbursed at all by national health insurance and must be paid for out-of-pocket.

Generic semaglutide availability depends on patent laws in each country. In the U.S. and Europe, key patents are not expected to expire until around 2031. However, some countries like China and Canada may see generics sooner due to differing patent protections.

Importing prescription medications like semaglutide is illegal in many countries and comes with significant risks. Regulations on personal importation are strict, and buying from unauthorized sources, especially online, can lead to receiving counterfeit or unsafe products.

The United States is the largest market for semaglutide. Other countries with high and growing demand include China, Germany, and the UK. Factors like obesity rates and diabetes prevalence contribute to regional demand.