Controversial weight loss drug used in every county costing taxpayer millions, HSE reveals

41 million Euro was spent by the HSE on Ozempic medicine under the long term illness scheme and for medical card holders in 2024. 

Over 38,000 residents in Ireland were reimbursed the drug’s cost last year. 

In 2023, 31 million Euro was spent by the HSE on the drug, 10 million less than 2024, marking a sharp rise of the drug's use 24% in 2024. 

The semaglutide medication is reimbursed by the HSE to help people living with type two diabetes to regulate their blood sugar levels

The injectable pen signals to the brain a feeling of fullness, which drastically diminishes appetite in users. 

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11 million Euro was spent by the HSE on the drug from January to March 2025, which indicates a small increase in Ozempic uptake for those availing of the drug for free through the HSE. 

Over 38,000 residents in Ireland were reimbursed the drug’s cost last year. y diminishes appetite in users. 

11 million Euro was spent by the HSE on the drug from January to March 2025, which indicates a small increase in Ozempic uptake in 2025. 

Irish Ozempic uptake is higher than the figures reimbursed by the HSE. The approximate cost of buying the drug privately through legal channels using a prescription is €120.

An RTÉ Investigates programme found that Ozempic is also being sold on the Irish black market. 

The breakdown for Ozempic use for diabetic medical card users and under the long term illness scheme by HSE catchment areas in 2024 is as follows: Dublin: 10,616 users, Cork 4,256 users, Galway 2,081 users, Kildare / West Wicklow 1,957 users, Wicklow 1,179 users, Limerick 1,736, South Tipperary at 1,054 users, North Tipperary / East Limerick 637 users, Laois / Offaly 1,575 users, Longford / Westmeath: 1,352 users, Mayo 1,000 users, Sligo / Leitrim / West Cavan 612 users, Clare 846 users, Kerry 1,149 users, Carlow / Kilkenny 1,347 users, Waterford 972 users, Donegal 802 users, Cavan / Monaghan 727 users, and Roscommon at 494 users. 

Common Ozempic side effects include nausea, diarrhoea and stomach pain. 

Ozempic can cause significant weight loss, with average weight loss over extended use amounting to around 6-15% of body weight. While the drug is approved on-label for diabetes, it is prescribed off-label for weight loss.