The weight-loss drug "Ozempic" will appear in Ukrainian pharmacies by the end of May

Professor Oleh Shvets, head of the Department of Public Health and Nutritional Science at NUBiP of Ukraine, on May 7, 2026 explained why he previously did not advise patients to use Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro.

This concerns modern injectable medications that affect appetite, blood sugar levels and metabolism. They are often discussed as weight-loss agents, although some of these drugs have official indications primarily for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In the State Register of Medicinal Products of Ukraine Ozempic is indeed listed as a registered drug, but the company Novo Nordisk previously reported that before official supplies it could not guarantee the authenticity of products sold in Ukraine through unofficial channels.

According to the professor, the medications themselves can produce noticeable results: help reduce weight, improve blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. But their effect lasts only while they are being used. After stopping treatment the effect may disappear, so diet, physical activity and medical supervision remain essential.

Another patients’ concern is side effects. Oleh Shvets explains that nausea and constipation are most common at the start. Usually such symptoms subside or are managed according to the doctor’s recommendations. In other words, the problem is not that the drug is “absolutely dangerous”, but that it should not be used on one’s own, without specialist supervision.

Cost of such drugs also remains a serious barrier. In countries with stronger health insurance systems part of the treatment costs may be reimbursed, but in Ukraine this issue remains unresolved for now.

The main reason the professor previously warned patients was the absence of most officially imported drugs in Ukraine. According to him, before legal supplies appeared people risked buying injectable medicines of unknown origin. For such drugs proper transportation with strict temperature control is critically important, and transporting them “in a suitcase” does not guarantee safety.

The specialist also drew attention to the risk of counterfeits. For Mykolaiv and the Korabelnyi district this topic is not abstract: previously the city was involved in a court case concerning products with signs of falsification, including Ozempic, after a resident complained of worsening health.

Now the situation may change. According to information cited by Oleh Shvets, the official presentation of Ozempic in Ukraine is expected on May 15, 2026, and the drug may appear in pharmacies by the end of May. According to him, Wegovy, which has official indications for the treatment of obesity, may appear in Ukrainian pharmacies next year. Ukrainian media also reported this, citing the professor’s post. Registration of a Ukrainian generic semaglutide is also expected. If that happens, availability of such drugs may increase and the price may become less dependent on the global pharmaceutical market.

At the same time it is important to remember: this is not a “magic weight-loss injection”. Such drugs must be prescribed by a doctor after assessing health, risks and indications. Self-medication, buying drugs through dubious online channels and using injections of unknown origin can be dangerous.

Earlier we wrote:

• Wanted to lose weight — almost died: Mykolaiv’s “Ozempic” was seized
• Pharmacies overcharge: violations were found everywhere in the Mykolaiv region
• Pharmacy will become cheaper: new free medicines added for Ukrainians
• E-prescription will show patients the cheapest drug alternatives
• The “Affordable Medicines” program expands: new drugs for pregnant women, cancer patients and others