Semaglutide (Wegovy) for weight loss
New GLP-1 agonist semaglutide (Wegovy) approved for use in New Zealand.
Semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) approved for use
In June 2025, Medsafe approved semaglutide (Wegovy) for use in New Zealand for weight loss. Semaglutide has been approved to treat type 2 diabetes, under the name Ozempic, since 2023.
Datasheet for Wegovy | Medsafe [PDF](external link)
Consumer information sheet for Wegovy | Medsafe [PDF](external link)
Semaglutide is not funded
Semaglutide is not funded by Pharmac for either type 2 diabetes (Ozempic) or weight loss (Wegovy). Pharmac has not received an application to fund semaglutide for either weight loss or type 2 diabetes. If we do receive an application, you will find it in our application tracker.
Semaglutide applications in the application tracker(external link)
Any application would need to go through our standard process. It would need to be prioritised against all other applications to fund medicines.
How much will semaglutide cost me?
If a health care professional prescribes Wegovy for you, you will need to pay for it. Pharmac does not control this price. You would need to discuss with your pharmacy how much that might be.
Medicines funded to treat type 2 diabetes
Both dulaglutide (Trulicity) and liraglutide (Victoza) are funded for people with type 2 diabetes, who meet the funding criteria. These medicines are also GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide.
Funding had been restricted to help manage a supply issue, but supply has returned to normal so people can be started on these medicines to treat their diabetes.
If you have type 2 diabetes, talk to a health care professional whether one of these medicines might be right for you.
Who to contact
Your health care team are in the best place to discuss whether any of these medicines are right for you.