Cyprus Health Insurance Organisation mandates switch from Victoza to Ozempic

The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) of Cyprus has officially announced that stocks of the injectable diabetes medication Victoza (liraglutide) have been exhausted. Effective June 1, 2026, all patients currently receiving Victoza through the General Healthcare System (GESY) must be transitioned to Ozempic (semaglutide). The HIO has notified general practitioners, endocrinologists, pathologists, geriatricians, and private pharmacies regarding this requirement. Doctors are mandated to submit new pre-approval applications using a provided form to facilitate the switch. To manage this transition, the HIO has established specific drug codes for existing patients. Available replacement dosages for Ozempic are set at 0.5mg and 1mg. Medical professionals are urged to process these applications promptly to prevent interruptions in patient treatment.