Using data from its drug insurance plans, which cover about five million people in Canada, Manulife reported that the number of claimants taking obesity treatments has increased by 91.9 per cent since 2020. More than three-quarters of claimants are female, the insurer said. (The Logic)

Talking point: Manulife’s figures include four drugs (Saxenda, Contrave, Xenical and newly available Wegovy). It excludes Ozempic, the most famous weight-loss drug, which is approved in Canada only as a diabetes treatment, not for obesity. Aside from urging employers to include weight-loss drugs in their benefits plans, Manulife said access to supports like nutrition counselling and psychologists could make workers healthier and more productive. Claims for drugs that treat substance use disorders have also increased notably, Manulife reported, though the number is still small. Drugs for immune disorders and for diabetes were the most claimed under Manulife plans in 2023.