Health and industry authorities in Canada announced that the drug Ozempic, originally intended for treating type 2 diabetes and now widely used for weight loss purposes, will soon become more available and cheaper after expanding insurance coverage and increasing import volumes.

Some doctors and pharmacists welcomed this expansion, considering that it will allow patients who actually need it for diabetes treatment to access it more easily without heavy financial burdens.

However, public health experts expressed concern that wider availability of the drug could lead to increased rates of misuse, especially among individuals seeking rapid weight loss without medical supervision.

Dr. Lisa Hadley, an endocrinologist, said that the already high demand for Ozempic caused supply shortages at previous times, and warned that marketing it as a “magical solution for slimness” could worsen this problem.

For its part, the Canadian Health Agency confirmed that it closely monitors the drug market to ensure safe and licensed use of Ozempic, noting that any use outside medical recommendations could expose patients to serious health risks.