Pharmacy Cash Price Gaps: Costco Undercuts Rexall by Up to $90

Cash prices for semaglutide products vary by $50 to $100 per month between major Canadian pharmacy chains in the same city, according to a 2026 pricing guide published this week [Source: semaglutidecanada.com/semaglutide/cheapest/].

Chain-by-chain pricing

The guide reports that Costco Pharmacy posts the lowest in-store cash price among major Canadian chains, listing Ozempic 1.0 mg at $250 to $265 per month and Rybelsus 14 mg at $250 to $265 per month [Source: semaglutidecanada.com/semaglutide/cheapest/]. At the other end, Rexall is listed at $300 to $340 for Ozempic 1.0 mg and $560 to $600 for Wegovy 2.4 mg [Source: semaglutidecanada.com/semaglutide/cheapest/].

The guide lists the following monthly cash ranges for Ozempic 1.0 mg [Source: semaglutidecanada.com/semaglutide/cheapest/]:

• Costco Pharmacy: $250–$265
• Walmart Pharmacy: $260–$280
• London Drugs: $265–$285
• PocketPills (online): $255–$275
• Shoppers Drug Mart: $290–$320
• Rexall: $300–$340

The guide attributes the variation to dispensing fees, markup percentage and chain-level negotiating power, noting that the medication itself is the same Novo Nordisk product across every pharmacy in Canada [Source: semaglutidecanada.com/semaglutide/cheapest/]. Costco does not require a warehouse membership for pharmacy use under provincial pharmacy law, and licensed online pharmacies such as PocketPills undercut chain pharmacies by $20 to $40 per month through lower dispensing fees and direct shipping [Source: semaglutidecanada.com/semaglutide/cheapest/].

Cross-check with GLP1Prices.ca data

The reported Ozempic range across chains ($250–$340) sits within the broader GLP1Prices.ca verified pharmacy range of $222–$663 per month. For Wegovy, the guide lists chain pricing from $490 at Costco to $600 at Rexall [Source: semaglutidecanada.com/semaglutide/cheapest/], consistent with a separate tracker last updated February 26, 2026 that placed Wegovy at $400–$570 per month for a 30-day supply across Canadian pharmacies [Source: teletest.ca/cost/drug/wegovy/]. A consumer guide separately cited a typical single-pen retail purchase of $540–$570 per month, with annual out-of-pocket cost reaching approximately $5,066 CAD at the maintenance dose [Source: ogaei.ca/blog/wegovy-cost-in-canada/].

Telehealth posts comparable rates

Canadian telehealth platforms price semaglutide in line with retail pharmacy rates, the guide reports, with Felix Health listed at $250–$310 per month plus a $99 setup and $40 quarterly fee, Maple at $270–$320 per month with a $69 per consult fee, and MyRocky at $300–$310 per month with a one-time $99 consult [Source: semaglutidecanada.com/semaglutide/cheapest/]. Felix and Hims do not currently operate in Quebec or New Brunswick, while Maple is available across all provinces [Source: semaglutidecanada.com/semaglutide/cheapest/].

Generic backdrop

The guide notes that Health Canada approved Dr. Reddy's on April 28, 2026 and Apotex on May 1, 2026, with pharmacy availability expected May 29, 2026 at $100 to $150 per month [Source: semaglutidecanada.com/semaglutide/cheapest/]. According to the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance pricing structure, the first generic version of a medication typically costs 75 to 85 per cent less than the brand name, a second generic drops the price to 50 per cent, and three or more generics bring the price to about 35 per cent of the brand price [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11820779/canada-approves-1st-generic-ozempic-market/]. Health Canada has also stated that many generic medications are 45 to 90 per cent cheaper than brand-name versions [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11820779/canada-approves-1st-generic-ozempic-market/]. Readers can monitor approvals through our generic semaglutide tracker.

Coverage context

No Canadian provincial health plan covers Wegovy when prescribed for weight management as of January 2026 [Source: ogaei.ca/blog/wegovy-cost-in-canada/]. Approximately 31% of Canadian employers include GLP-1 medication coverage in their benefit plans, but 56% of those offering coverage restrict it to diabetes management [Source: ogaei.ca/blog/wegovy-cost-in-canada/]. Patients without private drug insurance may qualify for the Novo Nordisk Care program [Source: teletest.ca/cost/drug/wegovy/]. Compare options through our insurance coverage checker or visit the FAQ for more on Mounjaro and Zepbound.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.