As plan sponsors look to support employee health, our 2026 drug pipeline report looks at new therapies that are emerging to address gaps that have existed for years. Some of these drugs support people through life stages that haven’t had good options before. Others aim to slow disease progression rather than managing symptoms alone.
These breakthroughs often come with big price tags, putting pressure on employer plans. But the impact isn’t just about cost per prescription. How long people stay on therapy and the size of the populations they serve can influence overall plan spend too.
For private plans, this raises important questions. How do you balance access with affordability? How do you keep plans sustainable while meeting member needs?
That’s where the drug pipeline report comes in. It helps plan sponsors understand what’s coming and how it might affect their plans.
Here are some highlights from the 2026 report:
Women’s health: New treatments for menopause and postpartum depression
Last year, we saw a new class of non-hormonal drugs called neurokinin-3 (NK-3) receptor agonists to manage menopause symptoms. In 2025, Bayer’s elinzanetant (Lynkuet®) became the second drug in the class to enter the market. Notably, Lynkuet® doesn’t require follow-up liver monitoring, which is required with the other drug in this class.
We may hear more about Lynkuet® in the future, with Bayer also expanding trials to see if it can help manage symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats resulting from certain breast cancer treatments.
Right before the year ended, Health Canada also gave approval to zuranolone (Zurzuvae®), the first oral medication for postpartum depression. It’s taken once daily for 14 days with symptom improvements as early as 3 days in some cases.
These therapies will help address the clinical, social and workplace impacts of conditions that affect women.
Our women’s health and wellness resources provide practical guidance and tools for women, and key considerations for plan sponsors.
GLP-1 drugs: Broader uses, more to come
GLP-1 therapies like semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound®) are being approved or reviewed for more conditions. Wegovy® was approved in December 2025 for metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH), also known as fatty liver disease.
Zepbound® is under review for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
This means more people may qualify for these treatments. Even with a generic for semaglutide expected in mid-2026, utilization is likely to rise, not fall.
There are many new GLP-1 therapies in development that have improved efficacy, more uses, longer dosing intervals and are available as oral formulations.
From plan sponsors’ perspective, employees will ask about treatments they’ve read about in the news. The challenge will be balancing access, sustainability and employee expectations.
With so much attention on GLP-1 medications, they have been managed carefully from the beginning at Alberta Blue Cross®. For example, Ozempic® has always been managed through our Special Authorization process from day one, with coverage aligned to approved indications. As new uses are considered, that same evidence-based approach will be applied.
Alzheimer’s disease: First drug to slow progression
Lecanemab (Leqembi®) received approval in October 2025. It targets amyloid beta pathology to alter Alzheimer’s underlying process in early stages rather than just managing symptoms. It, however, does come with the need for MRI imaging, genetic testing and other resources.
There’s another first in the neurology pipeline. Tolebrutinib, a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, is being evaluated for the treatment of non-relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (nsSPMS). It’s a form of MS that currently has limited treatment options.
Respiratory: Easier access and adherence
Progress in medicine isn’t always about new molecules. Sometimes it’s about removing the barriers that keep treatments from working.
Neffy®, if approved, will become the first nasal spray for severe allergic reactions, offering an alternative to traditional epinephrine auto-injectors, such as EpiPen®. For children, caregivers and anyone who struggles with needles, this could be the difference between hesitating and acting in an emergency.
Depemokimab has taken a different approach to access as the first ultra-long-acting biologic for obstructive airway disease. The proposed dosing for the therapy is once every 6 months. That makes it easier to stay on treatment.
Skin conditions: Targeted therapies, more options
Chronic skin and immune conditions like eczema, hives and prurigo nodularis may not be life-threatening but they’re life-disrupting with the constant itching and visible symptoms. The pipeline is bringing more options for those who are not responding to currently available therapies.
Remibrutinib (Rhapsido®) is the first targeted oral treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria, persistent hives with no known trigger. It offers an alternative to injections for patients whose symptoms don’t respond to antihistamines.
Delgocitinib (Anzupgo®) is a steroid-free cream for chronic hand eczema (CHE). It’s for those who haven’t responded to topical corticosteroids or can’t use them. This matters to workers in high-exposure jobs—health care workers, dental professionals, bakers, florists and mechanics for example. CHE affects up to 40% of people in these fields.
Nemolizumab (Nemluvio®) is the first biologic in Canada that targets the interleukin-31 receptor alpha (IL-31RA), which causes itch and inflammation in atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis.
What connects these drugs? More convenient formulations and more targeted mechanisms of action. For patients managing these conditions every day, that matters.
As new treatments enter the market, they’re reviewed carefully to understand their clinical value, appropriate use and potential impact on plans. Our drug plan management strategies are designed to support meaningful innovation while keeping benefits sustainable over time.
Looking ahead
Our full 2026 drug pipeline report takes a deeper look at these trends and drug categories.
If you have questions about how these changes might affect your plan, reach out to your Alberta Blue Cross representative. We’re here to help you stay ahead of what’s coming.
