In Australia, Ozempic (semaglutide) is on the PBS for Type 2 Diabetes, costing around $31.60 for a general patient and about $7.70 for concession card holders, with the full price being over $130 per script; however, it requires strict criteria, including trying other treatments first, and is generally not subsidized for weight loss, where costs can be much higher, around $150-$250+ monthly.
The new 3 mL presentation of Ozempic 0.25 mg/0.5 mg pre-filled pen is available and is PBS subsidised (criteria dependent). This is replacing the 1.5 mL presentation of Ozempic 0.25 mg/0.5 mg pre-filled pen, which will be discontinued from 31 December 2025.
$25.00. Find your local Chemist Warehouse storeto talk to our pharmacists for further assistance. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. A Medicare card and valid Australian PBS authority script must be provided in order to be eligible for the above pricing.
The answer depends on several factors. If you qualify for insurance coverage, Ozempic can cost as little as $25 for a monthly supply. Without insurance, the cost of Ozempic is just under $1,000 per month.
Prescription options and costs
In Australia, Ozempic is available through a regulated prescription system. For those eligible under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the cost is $31.60 per prescription. If you're not eligible for PBS, the price increases to $134.27 for a 1.5 mL pen.
With the Ozempic® Savings Card, eligible patients with commercial insurance may pay as little as $25 for a 1-month, 2-month, or 3-month supply for up to 48-months. To receive offer, prescription must be for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month supply. Additional savings options are available for uninsured or self-paying patients.
Yes, pensioners (concession card holders) in Australia get a significant discount on Ozempic through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), paying around $7.70 per prescription for Type 2 Diabetes, rather than the full price, thanks to subsidies and frozen co-payment increases for concession card holders until 2030, although the co-payment can be further reduced by pharmacies or through safety nets.
Key Takeaways
Patients typically lose around 5 pounds per month on Semaglutide (Ozempic®). Weight loss results vary based on dosage, body composition, and lifestyle. Combining the medication with diet and activity boosts success.
How to get Ozempic cheaper (or even for free)
Research shows that higher doses of Ozempic do lead to more weight loss. One study found that after 30 weeks1: 0.5 mg dose: Average weight loss of 3.7kg. 1 mg dose: Average weight loss of 4.5kg.
There are many side effects of taking Ozempic as a weight loss medication, including: Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Constipation. Stomach pain.
In Australia, key substitutes for Ozempic (semaglutide) for diabetes or weight loss include Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a newer, dual-acting drug, and Wegovy (also semaglutide, but approved for weight loss), while other options like Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) are also available; natural supplements like Berberine and lifestyle changes are other avenues, but prescription medications require a doctor's consultation.
“Ozempic starts working in the body shortly after the first dose, but noticeable improvements in blood sugar levels usually take a few weeks,” Dr. Tambini says. “Most people see a meaningful drop in blood sugar within 4–8 weeks, but the full effects can take up to three months as the dose is adjusted.”
Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs are covered only in specific cases. Medicare Part D prescription drug plans often cover them as type 2 diabetes treatments. Outside of diabetes treatment, Medicare does not usually cover it.
Semaglutide (sold as Wegovy) is now a significant step closer to being added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for adults with established cardiovascular disease with obesity.
Still, the FDA has not yet granted full approval for tirzepatide as a weight-loss drug for non-diabetics. For now, its use in that context is considered “off-label,” meaning doctors can prescribe it based on their own clinical judgment.
If you stop taking Ozempic, you'll digest food at the same rate as you did before taking the drug. In addition, you'll likely have cravings and increased hunger. There's also a risk of binge eating after quitting Ozempic. All of these can contribute to gaining weight back.
Uninsured patients will still have access to Ozempic® through the Patient Assistance Program; however, their total household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Resources: Visit NeedyMeds website which lists the current FPL guidelines for more information.
Ozempic was originally developed for the treatment of diabetes, so those who have diabetes are eligible for Ozempic. If you don't have diabetes, the criteria to be able to get Ozempic involves determining your BMI, as those with a BMI of 30 or higher can receive Ozempic.
Will Ozempic or Wegovy reduce belly fat? The answer appears to be yes. That Novo Nordisk-funded study of almost 2,000 overweight or obese adults without diabetes also found their visceral fat — the type that accumulates in the belly — was reduced from baseline with semaglutide, along with their total fat mass.
Yes, most people regain a significant amount of weight after stopping Ozempic (semaglutide) because appetite and cravings return, often regaining two-thirds of lost weight within a year, but this can be mitigated by gradual tapering, sustained exercise, and a healthy diet to manage the underlying chronic nature of obesity, says this source, this source, this source, and this source.
"Ozempic hands" is a slang term for the skeletal or aged appearance hands can develop due to rapid fat loss from medications like Ozempic (semaglutide), where thinner skin reveals more prominent veins, tendons, and bones, resulting in a loss of fullness. It's not a formal diagnosis but describes a visible sign of significant weight loss, similar to "Ozempic face" or "Ozempic feet," caused by reduced subcutaneous fat and skin not contracting quickly enough.
The best known semaglutide medications, Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, are listed on the PBS (pharmaceutical benefits scheme) for type 2 diabetes, and yet these drugs are renowned for their off-label use to achieve quick, substantial weight loss.
More serious side effects of taking Ozempic may include:
This pen is a device that is pre-filled with medication and makes it easier for you to give yourself the weekly injections. If you use the 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg maintenance dose per week, your pen will hold 4 doses and last for one month. Ozempic pens contain different amount of medicine.