Ozempic has quickly become the world’s most popular off-label weight loss drug – but can people in Spain get their hands on it without a medical prescription and if they don’t have diabetes? Here’s what the law says.
Ozempic was originally a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Authorised in the EU since 2018, it works by regulating insulin secretion, which helps to control blood sugar levels.
In recent years, however, the drug has become known for something else — weight loss.
During treatment, many patients lose weight whilst taking Ozempic, which is why the treatment has become trendy on social media platforms such as TikTok as an alternative and highly-effective weight loss product.
Similar medications such as Wegovy, Rybelsus, Saxenda or Mounjaro are also available in Spain.
In 2025, more than five million units of these drugs were sold in Spain, an 85 percent increase compared to the previous year.
What’s the law on Ozempic in Spain?
In Spain, Ozempic can be purchased with a prescription from a doctor and is available in pharmacies.
As it’s usually prescribed for type 2 diabetes, if it is prescribed for weight loss, this would be considered off-label, meaning outside the official indication approved by regulatory agencies.
Can you buy Ozempic without a prescription in Spain?
No, you cannot buy Ozempic without a prescription in Spain.
The medicine is available on prescription only, which means you need a prescription (receta in Spanish) from a doctor for every purchase.
Pharmacies cannot dispense Ozempic without a valid prescription, whether for the treatment of diabetes or used as a weight-loss injection.
However, reports in the Spanish press state that the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has warned that Ozempic is being sold over the counter in pharmacies in Spain without a prescription.
Given this situation, AEMPS has recommend that healthcare professionals prescribe Ozempic specifically for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, as medical alternatives for these people can be more complex.
There has been a shortage of Ozempic in Spain in the past due largely to the spike in global demand, but in October 2025 the Spanish Health Ministry said the supply had been re-established.
How much does Ozempic cost in Spain?
The price of Ozempic in Spain is €117.89 for a pre-filled pen containing 4 needles, sufficient for one month’s treatment.
The 1 mg dose is also available with 8 needles, sufficient for two months’ treatment, for €204.83.
Does Spain’s Social Security cover the cost of Ozempic?
Treatment with Ozempic is partly funded by Spain’s social security system, but only for its official use, that is, the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In these cases, it can cost as little as €4.
Anyone with a prescription for weight loss purposes, therefore, must pay the full cost upfront.
Is there any indication Ozempic prices will drop soon in Spain?
It’s been in the news recently that the patent for Ozempic have in several middle-income and emerging countries, allowing for the launch of much cheaper generic versions.
However, in Spain and the rest of Europe, the patent will remain in effect until March 2031.
Will a doctor in Spain give me an Ozempic prescription if I don’t have diabetes?
If you pay to see a private doctor, it’s more likely.
“Currently, obtaining Ozempic requires a prescription from either a public or private healthcare provider. Many people are willing to pay for the drug to bypass waiting lists and the strict protocols enforced by the public healthcare system, so they schedule appointments with endocrinologists through private healthcare,” endocrinologist Víctor Bravo told Spanish national daily El País.
“To be eligible for coverage, a person must have type 2 diabetes, obesity, and high blood sugar levels that they are unable to control with medication,” Bravo warns.
