Understanding What is the DIN of Wegovy in Canada: A Comprehensive Guide

October 11, 2025 •

3 min read

In Canada, every drug product authorized for sale is assigned a unique eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) by Health Canada, a system designed to protect consumers by ensuring safety and efficacy. This means that finding out what is the DIN of Wegovy in Canada involves recognizing that each specific dose has its own distinct number.

Quick Summary

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Drug Identification Numbers (DINs) for all approved strengths of Wegovy in Canada. It clarifies the role and importance of DINs in the Canadian healthcare system, explains how to locate them, and details Health Canada's regulatory process for this medication. The guide aims to help patients and healthcare providers understand the specific identification for Wegovy.

Key Points

Unique Identifier: A DIN is a mandatory eight-digit number assigned by Health Canada to every authorized drug product sold in the country.
Dosage-Specific DINs: Each different dosage of Wegovy in Canada has its own unique DIN for precise identification and tracking.
Ensures Safety and Quality: The presence of a DIN confirms that Health Canada has evaluated the drug for safety, efficacy, and manufacturing standards.
Verifies Authenticity: A DIN helps consumers and pharmacists verify that a medication is genuine and legally authorized for sale in Canada.
Locating the DIN: Patients can find the DIN on their medication packaging or on the official pharmacy receipt.
Important for Coverage: The DIN is often required by insurance providers to process and confirm coverage for prescription medications.

What is a Drug Identification Number (DIN)?

A Drug Identification Number (DIN) is a computer-generated, eight-digit number issued by Health Canada to authorize a drug product for sale in Canada. This number is a crucial identifier that confirms the product has been evaluated and approved for use. A DIN is a confirmation that the drug meets stringent health and safety standards regarding its formulation, labeling, and manufacturing processes. It is required for all authorized prescription and over-the-counter drugs sold in Canada. The DIN uniquely identifies several key characteristics of the product, including:

Manufacturer: The company responsible for the drug, which is Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. for Wegovy.
Product Name: The brand name, in this case, WEGOVY®.
Active Ingredient(s): Semaglutide.
Strength(s): The concentration of the active ingredient.
Pharmaceutical Form: Such as a pre-filled pen for subcutaneous injection.
Route of Administration: For Wegovy, this is subcutaneous injection.

The DINs for Wegovy in Canada

Because Wegovy is available in different dose strengths for the weekly injection, each specific dose is assigned a unique DIN. These numbers allow for precise identification and tracking within the healthcare system, from the manufacturer to the patient. The following is a list of the DINs for the single-use, pre-filled Wegovy pens available in Canada, as approved by Health Canada:

0.25 mg dose: The DIN is 02522551.
0.5 mg dose: The DIN is 02522578.
1.0 mg dose: The DIN is 02522586.
1.7 mg dose: The DIN is 02522594.
2.4 mg dose: The DIN is 02522608.

This system ensures that healthcare providers can correctly prescribe and dispense the appropriate starting and maintenance doses of the medication during the patient's treatment plan.

Health Canada's Approval and the Significance of the DIN

Wegovy's path to approval in Canada began with a New Drug Submission (NDS) from the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., which was authorized by Health Canada in November 2021. The authorization followed an extensive evaluation of clinical data, primarily from the STEP (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity) clinical trial program. The DINs are a key part of this authorization, signifying that the product's safety, efficacy, and quality have been rigorously assessed by the regulatory body.

The DIN serves several important functions:

Consumer Protection: It assures patients that the product they are receiving is the genuine, authorized medication and not a counterfeit. Unauthorized drugs without a DIN are non-compliant with Canadian law and are not verified for safety.
Market Monitoring: Health Canada uses the DIN system to monitor drugs on the market. This includes tracking sales, managing product recalls if necessary, and conducting inspections to ensure continued quality control.
Claims and Coverage: Insurance companies and provincial drug plans use the DIN to verify drug products for coverage. Patients can provide the DIN to their insurer to check for plan benefits and coverage details.

How to Find Your Wegovy DIN

For patients, finding the DIN for their specific Wegovy prescription is straightforward. The DIN is typically found in a couple of key places:

On the medication box: The eight-digit DIN will be clearly printed on the label of the Wegovy® packaging.
On your pharmacy receipt: The DIN is also listed on the official pharmacy receipt provided with your prescription.

If you cannot locate the number, your dispensing pharmacy can provide it for you.

Comparison of Wegovy DINs by Dosage

To help differentiate between the various Wegovy dose strengths and their associated DINs, the following table summarizes the information as per Health Canada's records.


Wegovy Dosage Strength	DIN (Drug Identification Number)	Product Description	Health Canada Status	Approval Date
0.25 mg / 0.5 mL	02522551	Single Dose Prefilled Pen	Approved	2021-11-23
0.5 mg / 0.5 mL	02522578	Single Dose Prefilled Pen	Approved	2021-11-23
1.0 mg / 0.5 mL	02522586	Single Dose Prefilled Pen	Approved	2021-11-23
1.7 mg / 0.75 mL	02522594	Single Dose Prefilled Pen	Approved	2021-11-23
2.4 mg / 0.75 mL	02522608	Single Dose Prefilled Pen	Approved	2021-11-23

Conclusion

The Drug Identification Number (DIN) is an essential component of Canada's drug regulation system, providing a unique marker for every authorized drug product, including Wegovy. By assigning a distinct DIN to each dose strength, Health Canada ensures the safety, quality, and efficacy of the medication from manufacturing through to patient use. For patients and healthcare providers alike, knowing and understanding the DIN is crucial for confirming medication authenticity, managing prescriptions, and navigating insurance coverage. When starting or continuing Wegovy treatment, referring to the DIN on the packaging is the most reliable way to confirm the exact product and dose being used.

Visit Health Canada's Drug Product Database to search for specific DINs and other drug information.

Frequently Asked Questions

DIN stands for Drug Identification Number. It is a unique eight-digit number assigned by Health Canada to every drug product authorized for sale in the country.

Yes, each specific dose strength of Wegovy available in Canada (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg) has its own unique DIN assigned by Health Canada.

You can find the DIN on the label of your Wegovy medication box or on the official pharmacy receipt that is provided with your prescription.

The DIN for the 2.4 mg dose of Wegovy in a single-use pre-filled pen is 02522608.

The DIN assures a patient that the drug has been reviewed and authorized by Health Canada, confirming its safety and quality. It also helps in identifying the correct product and dosage.

No, it is illegal to sell a drug product in Canada without a valid DIN. A drug without a DIN is not in compliance with Canadian law and has not been approved for market.

Yes, you can use the DIN to check for coverage with your insurance provider. The number specifically identifies the drug, dosage, and manufacturer, which is necessary information for processing claims.