Weight loss injections have gone from a treatment almost nobody talked about to something half the country seems to be asking us about. And there is a piece of news that could change the maths for a lot of people. The State might soon help pay for them.
The HSE is reviewing whether to fund Mounjaro through its reimbursement scheme. If it goes ahead, reports suggest as many as 80,000 people in Ireland could qualify, with a decision possible by the end of 2026. (Irish Examiner)
We wanted to lay this out plainly, no hype. Who might qualify, what the different injections actually are, what they cost today, and how to get them without getting stung. It is written by the pharmacy team here in Portlaoise, so if any of it is unclear you can just call in and ask us.
Do the numbers put you in range?
Doctors usually consider these medicines when your BMI is 30 or over, or 27 or over if you also live with something like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea. Put your height and weight in for a rough idea.
What these injections actually are
They all belong to a family of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. In plain English, they copy a hormone your gut releases after a meal. It tells your brain you are full and it slows down how quickly your stomach empties, so you eat less without having to fight yourself over it. The newer ones copy a second and even a third hormone, which is why they tend to work better.
Ozempic
Licensed in Ireland for type 2 diabetes. Often the starting point people hear about first.
from about €130 a month
Wegovy
The same active drug as Ozempic, but this is the version the European Medicines Agency licensed specifically for weight loss. (EMA)
from about €240 a month
Mounjaro
Copies two hormones, so it tends to give more weight loss. This is the one the HSE is reviewing for funding.
from about €238 a month
Retatrutide
Copies three hormones. In trials people lost close to 29 percent of their body weight. Still experimental and not available yet.
not on sale yet
What it costs you today
That is the range most people pay right now, out of their own pocket, depending on the medicine and dose. Over a year it is real money. And that is exactly why the HSE funding question matters. If Mounjaro is approved for reimbursement, people who qualify could pay a small fraction of that.
How to get them safely
Every one of these is prescription only. There is no legal shortcut around that, and honestly there should not be. You need a prescription from a doctor who has actually assessed you.
Please be wary of the websites selling these injections with no prescription and no questions asked. The HPRA, the body that regulates medicines here, has warned that a lot of what is sold that way is fake or wrongly dosed, and some of it is genuinely dangerous. (HPRA)
The safe route is simple. Get a prescription, bring it to a registered pharmacy, and get proper advice with it. We dispense these here at Laois Pharmacy, we will show you how to use the pen, and we now offer temperature controlled delivery for prescription items so it reaches you in good condition.
Common questions
Do I really need a prescription?
Yes. Always. Anyone offering these without one is not operating legally or safely.
Is Ozempic the same as Wegovy?
Same active drug, semaglutide. Ozempic is licensed in Ireland for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy is the version the EMA licensed for weight loss.
Can I get Mounjaro in Ireland now?
Yes, with a prescription. It is available and we dispense it. Supply has been improving, though it can still be tight on certain doses.
When will the HSE decide on funding?
It is under review. A decision could come by the end of 2026, but nothing is confirmed yet. We will keep this page updated as it moves.
What is retatrutide, and can I get it?
It is a newer injection still going through clinical trials. The early results are strong, but it is not available to buy yet.
Not sure where to start?
Come in or call the team in Portlaoise. Straight answers, no pressure, and we can talk you through whether State funding might apply to you down the line.
Sources: Irish Examiner, State funded weight loss injections · European Medicines Agency, Wegovy · Health Products Regulatory Authority · HSE · Citizens Information. Last reviewed August 2026 by the pharmacists at Laois Pharmacy.