Canadian Drug Insurance Claims Rose 9.5% in 2025, Driven by GLP-1 and ADHD Medication Costs
A GreenShield report shows drug insurance claims across Canada increased 9.5 per cent in 2025, with costs for GLP-1 diabetes and weight management treatments surging 47.7 per cent and ADHD claims rising sharply among adults aged 35 to 44.
Drug insurance claims across Canada rose 9.5 per cent in 2025, according to a report by GreenShield. The increase was driven significantly by higher costs for GLP-1 medications used in diabetes and weight management, as well as a surge in ADHD treatment claims.
Costs related to diabetes and weight management treatments using GLP-1 medication skyrocketed by 47.7 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024. Semaglutide accounted for 6.6 per cent of total drug insurance costs in Canada in 2025, making it the top product by total drug cost. The average claimant spent $2,489 on drugs like Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy for diabetes and weight management during the year.
Total costs for diabetes medications in the $2,000 to $2,999 range increased 594 per cent in 2025, while the number of claimants in that range rose 374.3 per cent. Ozempic remained the most popular diabetes drug, accounting for 41 per cent of all claims for diabetes treatments in 2025, down from 43.2 per cent in 2024.
ADHD medication costs also jumped. While ADHD is slightly more prevalent among men at 8.6 per cent compared to 7.4 per cent for women, women saw the condition rise at a much faster rate, with 15 per cent growth from 2024. People between ages 35 and 44 saw the highest growth rate in ADHD claims in 2025, with claimants growing by 23.1 per cent compared to 2024.
The report also noted trends in mental health medication use. Women were more likely to claim medication for anxiety and depression, with a prevalence rate of 4.3 per cent compared to men. Claims for anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and psychosis among people aged 35 to 44 increased by 6.8 per cent.
The rising chronic disease impact continues to affect benefit plans across the country. However, potential cost reductions may emerge in 2026 due to the introduction of generic GLP-1 drugs.