Ozempic users who forget to do one thing are ‘gambling' with holiday nightmares
More and more people in the UK are using Ozempic and Wegovy, according to NHS data. The drug has the potential to cause issues for travellers who don't check all their paperwork
Ozempic and Wegovy should be extra careful before jetting away on holiday, or else they may face a hefty bill.
The rise of the drugs, which are primarily used to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes but are also taken as a way to lose weight by a growing number of Brits, has the potential to cause travel insurance issues.
Recent NHS data shows that between March 2024 and February 2025, more than 83,000 unique patients in England were dispensed Ozempic, while over 344,000 people received a prescription for similar medications overall in the past year.
Forum Insurance has warned Ozempic and Wegovy users that they must declare their usage when arranging travel insurance, or they could lose their cover and face huge medical bills abroad.
Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, said: '(Drugs like) Ozempic are transforming lives across the UK, but too many travellers don't realise the insurance implications. If you're using these drugs, you must declare both the medication and the condition it's prescribed for.
'Failure to do so is not a minor oversight - it's a serious breach of your travel insurance contract. If you need medical help overseas and haven't declared your medication, your claim can be refused and your policy cancelled. The financial consequences can be severe.'
'Non-disclosure is a gamble that's simply not worth taking. If you don't declare your medication or the underlying condition, your insurer is within their rights to refuse any claim, even if it seems unrelated. Many travellers only discover too late that their travel insurance claims are rejected, leaving them without support and facing potentially huge bills."
The average medical claim abroad now exceeds £1,700, and costs rise significantly with age.
Mamtora has shared his advice for those travelling with this kind of medication.
Declare all pre-existing medical conditions and any medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, when purchasing travel insurance.
If you are taking medication without a prescription or for off-label use, you must disclose this, as it can affect your travel cover.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor's letter when travelling with medication, and check the rules of your destination country regarding bringing in prescription drugs.
Remember that insurance claims related to undeclared conditions or medications can be refused, even if the issue seems unrelated.
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