One thing Santa won't be bringing this year is a new supply of the type 2 diabetes drug, Ozempic. The 'miracle drug' which has skyrocketed in popularity due to it being an appetite suppressant, has become better known for its weight loss benefits than anything else.
Many people suffering from type 2 diabetes have been complaining about the price of the drug and even worse, the lack of consistency across different pharmacies. The HSE says they do not set the price for Olympic, it is between the pharmacy and the supplier.
EVOKE investigated the price of Ozempic across the country to find out which counties were charging the most and which counties were charging the least for the in-demand drug.
Perhaps surprisingly, Dublin did not seem to be charging the most for the weekly injection. Across the board, Ozempic seems to be priced at €133- €155, with a few outliers charging as much as €185 for the drug.
On top of this, the drug is extremely hard to come by. Almost all of the pharmacies that shared their prices also added that they have none of the product left in stock, due to the high volume of people desperate to get their hands on it.
One pharmacist told EVOKE the drug's supplier sent a letter to retailers across the country to say that there won't be any more Ozempic delivered this autumn or winter. Any pharmacies selling the drug this autumn will have had the drug in stock already. Here is the price that is being charged for Ozempic around the country...
Dublin
Northside:
If you are hoping to find Ozempic in north Dublin, you are down on your luck. A pharmacist at Edward McManus Pharmacy in Ballymun explained: 'It's very hard to get and we only get in for patients with medical cards'. The business charges €150 for a month's supply of the drug.
McCabes Pharmacy in Artane is also sold out of the lower dosages, which usually come in at €142.
Southside:
In south Dublin, the cost of getting a month-long supply of Ozempic is largely similar. Meaghers Pharmacy on Baggot Street charges €159 for one month.
In Lloyds in Donnybrook, the drug comes in at €154 for a one month supply. Boots is cheaper than its competitors, appearing to charge €133.69 across the board.
Kildare
In Kildare there is also an extreme shortage of the drug. McCabes pharmacy in Athy charges €140 to purchase the drug for one when it's available, €2 cheaper than its Dublin counterpart.
Meanwhile, in Connolly's Pharmacy in Kildare Town, it costs €150 to buy a month's worth of supplies.
Laois
If you thought about heading to the Midlands to source Ozempic for a cheaper price, go back to the drawing board! You are not going to find that the cost of the drug has dropped too much.
In Lloyds Pharmacy in Portlaoise, you will pay €140, which is €14 cheaper than its counterpart in Dublin 4. However, if you find yourself in Abbeyleix, you could be paying €155 to get your hands on Ozempic.
Limerick
The drug appears to be slightly cheaper in Munster, with Limerick appearing to be the cheapest city to buy a supply. Lloyds Pharmacy in the area charges €130 for a month's worth, €24 less than its sister store in Donnybrook.
O'Malleys Pharmacy charges €134.95, explaining that the price each pharmacy sets: 'Depends on their framework and dispensing. It's a choice we made because it's so expensive and it's not covered by any of the schemes.'
Kerry
You can expect to pay more if you are on the hunt for Ozempic in Kerry.
O'Sullivan's Pharmacy in Killarney charges €185 for a month's supply, explaining: 'It depends on the demand and the price you pay for it- where you get it from.'
Galway
In Galway, the pricing is fairly consistent with its competitors as Whelan's Pharmacy charges €140 and Boots comes in at €133.69.
Mayo
If you are heading west in search of Ozempic, O'Donnell's TotalHealth Pharmacy in Mayo charges €150 for a month's supply while Treacy's Pharmacy prices the drug at €140.
Offaly
You will be hard-pressed to find Ozempic for less than €150 in Offaly. One pharmacist explained that they 'don't understand how any chemist could charge €130' for a month's supply of the drug. They said it may be a case of the drug acting as a loss leader so that when a customer comes in, they buy something else as well.
Stratus Healthcare Pharmacy charges €155, while Haven Pharmacy prices the drug at €150.
It must be noted that patients who use Ozempic to treat type 2 diabetes can be reimbursed by the HSE under the Long Term Illness Scheme. However, those who are using the drug to treat any other ailments are not entitled to reimbursement.