A popular but high-priced pharmaceutical treatment for diabetes and conditions such as obesity, recently estimated as costing Bermudian patients $1,000 a month, is set to become “significantly” cheaper.

The drugs, collectively known as GLP-1s, are now being offered by the Bermuda Diabetes Association in their generic form.

The group said medications such as semaglutide, widely recognised under the brand name Ozempic, had “transformed the landscape of diabetes care” over the past decade.

The drugs help people living with type 2 diabetes to manage blood sugar levels, and by extension support weight management, cut the risk of major cardiovascular events including stroke and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.

However, the association said: “The high cost of branded GLP-1 medications has placed these treatments out of reach for many patients, creating a significant financial burden for individuals, families, insurers and the wider healthcare system.

“As a result, many people who could benefit from these life-changing medications have been unable to access them.”

The branded cost estimate came last year from Peter Lozier, the group head of benefits for BF&M and Argus — now Allshores — who said the medications have surged in use in Bermuda.

Mr Lozier said in 2025 that the generic versions were unlikely to come out until the 2030s in the United States, but that an off-brand version expected to emerge this year in Canada “could lower the monthly costs by more than 50 per cent”.

The BDA announced last week that its community pharmacy’s introduction of generic semaglutide stood to make the “important treatment more affordable and accessible for patients across Bermuda”.

The charity added: “Generic medications contain the same active ingredient as their branded counterparts and are held to the same rigorous standards of quality, safety and effectiveness.”

The BDA said the knock-on effect would ease financial pressures on insurers and the wider healthcare system.

Melissa Levy-James, the BDA pharmacy’s head pharmacist, said that patients might assume generic medications would be “less effective or lower quality, but that’s simply not the case”.

She said the association sourced its generic products from reputable manufacturers.

Lori Rockhead, the BDA executive director, said that while living with diabetes “can be expensive”, the group was committed to removing barriers to care.

She emphasised that the community pharmacy was “open to everyone, not just those living with diabetes”.

The pharmacy was estimated to have saved its customers $3.5 million in dispensing fees since 2020, with people living with diabetes availing of more than $400,000 in discounts on high-cost medications, including GLP-1s.

Medications such as Ozempic are also covered by Allshores under its partnership with Phoenix Pharmacies that came into effect this month.

While the arrangement was criticised by the Opposition and put on hold for 60 days after talks with the Bermuda Health Council and the Government, the insurer included Ozempic on what it called “a small list of very expensive drugs” and said the partnership would drive down prices.

A spokeswoman said the company welcomed the move by the BDA, noting that generics delivered the same medicines as brand-name equivalents.

She added: “The difference is they cost significantly less.

“We know in Bermuda diabetes rates are high, and cost is often a barrier to seeking care and staying on treatment.

“Lower-cost generic medications make it more affordable for Bermudians to manage their diabetes and take control of their health. This is better for families and reduces the need for more costly treatments further down the road.”

She highlighted that lower-cost generic medications would bring down the overall cost of healthcare.

“It eases pressure on everyone's premiums.

“Healthcare affordability is one of Bermuda's biggest challenges and there is no single solution.

“Expanding access to quality generic medications is one of the ways we can bend the curve on healthcare costs while ensuring people continue to receive the care they need.”