An online pharmacy referral platform has started offering India-sourced Ozempic to patients in the United States at sharply reduced prices, bringing renewed attention to drug affordability, international sourcing, and regulatory oversight.
SaveRxCanada.to, a Canada-based online service, claims it can supply Ozempic injection pens to US consumers for approximately $280 per pen. In contrast, the same medication often costs between $900 and $1,100 per pen at retail pharmacies across the United States, depending on dosage and location.
The platform requires customers to submit a valid prescription before purchasing the medication and advertises shipping directly to US addresses.
SaveRxCanada.to describes itself as an international prescription referral service that connects patients with licensed pharmacies outside the United States. The company states that it has been operating for over 24 years and works with pharmacy partners in multiple countries, including India.
According to the platform’s listings, it offers Ozempic pens in commonly prescribed doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg, targeting patients who pay out of pocket or face insurance coverage gaps.
The company has not publicly disclosed the exact pharmacy or distributor supplying the India-sourced medication, which has drawn scrutiny from healthcare observers.
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, has stated that it does not supply Ozempic from India to SaveRxCanada.to and has no commercial or contractual relationship with the platform.
A company spokesperson said Novo Nordisk is reviewing how the product offered online is being sourced and distributed. The manufacturer emphasized that it maintains strict control over its authorized supply chains to ensure product quality, storage conditions, and patient safety.
Ozempic is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and has seen a surge in demand globally due to its off-label use for weight loss. The medication contains semaglutide and is administered as a once-weekly injectable.
US health authorities continue to warn consumers about purchasing prescription drugs from international online sources. While limited personal importation of medications may sometimes fall under enforcement discretion, officials caution that drugs sourced outside regulated supply chains may pose risks.
Injectable medications like Ozempic require controlled temperatures, and deviations can affect effectiveness and safety. As demand for Ozempic continues to rise, the debate over affordability versus safety is likely to intensify among patients, providers, and policymakers.
(Rh/ARC)