The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Manulife is directing patients who use the diabetes and weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro to Shoppers Drug Mart for prescriptions, a year after ending a controversial "preferred provider" arrangement. A triple bylined item led by Chris Hannay says The Globe spoke to pharmacists and patients who say Manulife has rejected claims on GLP-1 drugs until patients speak to a Shoppers Drug Mart representative who encourages them to fill their prescriptions at pharmacies owned by Loblaw. Patients felt pressured to use Shoppers pharmacy for drug coverage from Manulife, as opting for non-Shoppers led to a lengthy process. Khalid Bhatti, director at Durham Care Clinic and Pharmacy in Oshawa, Ont., noted that in the past two weeks, about 10 patients with Manulife coverage have been asked to switch to Shoppers. Manulife's new policy involves a partnership with Shoppers to manage a specialty drug care plan for popular medications. Last year, retail pharmacies sold over $2.5-billion worth of Ozempic (a sister drug to Wegovy), making it the best-selling drug in Canada, according to IQVIA data. Manulife insists that buying the medication from Shoppers remains "voluntary."