Are Ozempic, Mounjaro, other weight-loss drugs covered by insurance in the UAE?
Demand for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro — injections used for diabetes and weight management — has surged over the past two years. Doctors and pharmacists said that more patients are seeking these medications not only for diabetes control but also for medically supervised weight management.“There has been a noticeable increase in demand across the UAE for GLP-1–based therapies,” said Ravi Sharma, chief pharmacy officer at Burjeel Holdings. “Initially, these medicines were mainly dispensed for diabetes. But awareness around medically supervised weight management has grown significantly.”How much do they cost?These medications are considered expensive treatments, with monthly costs varying by dosage, pharmacy, and healthcare provider.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels.In large hospitals and diabetes centres, spending on these medications can be substantial, said Dr Rania Alkhani, pharmacy manager at International Modern Hospital in Dubai.“In facilities with high patient volumes, monthly spending on these medicines can reach hundreds of thousands of dirhams, and can exceed Dh1 million in some cases,” she said.Insurance coverage differsThe cost for each patient varies depending on whether they have insurance coverage.Coverage for these injections depends mainly on why they are prescribed. If prescribed for type 2 diabetes, Ozempic, and Mounjaro are often covered by many UAE insurance plans, provided the patient meets clinical guidelines.However, coverage is very different when the purpose is weight loss. “For weight management, coverage is still limited in most plans,” said Sharma. “Obesity treatment is often categorized differently from chronic disease management in insurance policies.”Dr Alkhani added that Wegovy which is approved specifically for weight management is not covered under standard insurance plans. Some premium insurance policies may provide coverage if obesity is linked to other medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.Which brand is most requested?Among the available options, Mounjaro is currently one of the most commonly requested and prescribed medications in the UAE, according to Dr Alkhani.She explained that this is partly due to strong clinical results in blood sugar control and weight reduction, as well as earlier availability when the medication was first introduced in the country.Pharmacists also note that brand awareness is high, with some patients specifically asking for certain names they have seen online. However, experts said that treatment decisions should always be guided by a physician based on medical eligibility, not patient preference.Supply situation now stableLike many countries, the UAE experienced temporary supply shortages in the past due to a sudden rise in global demand and manufacturing constraints.But doctors and pharmacists said that the current supply situation in the UAE is stable.“At present, pharmacies are generally able to meet patient needs,” said Dr Alkhani.Healthcare professionals said that the insurance policies may gradually evolve as obesity is increasingly recognized as a chronic metabolic condition rather than a cosmetic issue.“There is growing awareness among payers that obesity carries serious health risks,” said Sharma. “But coverage policies still differ significantly depending on clinical indication.”‘Not magic shots’: UAE doctors explain who can take weight-loss injectionsHow Ozempic, GLP-1 drugs are reshaping food shopping habits in UAE'Skinny' menu, small plates: How weight-loss jabs are impacting Dubai’s fine dining scene
Demand for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro — injections used for diabetes and weight management — has surged over the past two years. Doctors and pharmacists said that more patients are seeking these medications not only for diabetes control but also for medically supervised weight management.
“There has been a noticeable increase in demand across the UAE for GLP-1–based therapies,” said Ravi Sharma, chief pharmacy officer at Burjeel Holdings. “Initially, these medicines were mainly dispensed for diabetes. But awareness around medically supervised weight management has grown significantly.”
How much do they cost?
These medications are considered expensive treatments, with monthly costs varying by dosage, pharmacy, and healthcare provider.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels.
In large hospitals and diabetes centres, spending on these medications can be substantial, said Dr Rania Alkhani, pharmacy manager at International Modern Hospital in Dubai.
“In facilities with high patient volumes, monthly spending on these medicines can reach hundreds of thousands of dirhams, and can exceed Dh1 million in some cases,” she said.
Insurance coverage differs
The cost for each patient varies depending on whether they have insurance coverage.
Coverage for these injections depends mainly on why they are prescribed. If prescribed for type 2 diabetes, Ozempic, and Mounjaro are often covered by many UAE insurance plans, provided the patient meets clinical guidelines.
However, coverage is very different when the purpose is weight loss. “For weight management, coverage is still limited in most plans,” said Sharma. “Obesity treatment is often categorized differently from chronic disease management in insurance policies.”
Dr Alkhani added that Wegovy which is approved specifically for weight management is not covered under standard insurance plans. Some premium insurance policies may provide coverage if obesity is linked to other medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Which brand is most requested?
Among the available options, Mounjaro is currently one of the most commonly requested and prescribed medications in the UAE, according to Dr Alkhani.
She explained that this is partly due to strong clinical results in blood sugar control and weight reduction, as well as earlier availability when the medication was first introduced in the country.
Pharmacists also note that brand awareness is high, with some patients specifically asking for certain names they have seen online. However, experts said that treatment decisions should always be guided by a physician based on medical eligibility, not patient preference.
Supply situation now stable
Like many countries, the UAE experienced temporary supply shortages in the past due to a sudden rise in global demand and manufacturing constraints.
But doctors and pharmacists said that the current supply situation in the UAE is stable.
“At present, pharmacies are generally able to meet patient needs,” said Dr Alkhani.
Healthcare professionals said that the insurance policies may gradually evolve as obesity is increasingly recognized as a chronic metabolic condition rather than a cosmetic issue.
“There is growing awareness among payers that obesity carries serious health risks,” said Sharma. “But coverage policies still differ significantly depending on clinical indication.”
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