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OTTAWA — Canada is edging closer to cheaper versions of Ozempic and Wegovy, though patients are unlikely to see immediate price relief as Health Canada continues to review multiple generic drug submissions and Novo Nordisk moves to protect its market share.
The federal regulator has received nine applications from several companies seeking approval to sell generic versions of semaglutide, the active ingredient in the blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drugs. While legal barriers to generics expired earlier this month, none of the submissions has yet been approved, and experts say the process is more complex than typical generic reviews.
Health Canada has said the reviews are taking longer because semaglutide was originally developed through biological processes, while proposed generics rely on chemically synthesized methods. Regulators must be satisfied those differences do not affect safety, effectiveness or quality before authorizations are granted.
Canada is the first country where Novo Nordisk allowed semaglutide patent protections to lapse, raising expectations the country could also become the first to see lower-cost alternatives. Analysts and physicians say approvals are more likely later this year, potentially in the summer, rather than in the early months of 2026.
In the meantime, Novo Nordisk is preparing to launch new branded versions of semaglutide under different names. Health Canada has already approved the products, which are medically identical to Ozempic and Wegovy but differ in name and packaging. The strategy would allow the company to compete more directly with generics once they reach the market, potentially offering lower-priced options without abandoning its flagship brands.
Industry observers say the approach is unusual but reflects the scale of the Canadian semaglutide market, where more than one million people are estimated to use the drug and retail sales reached billions of dollars last year.
Physicians specializing in diabetes and obesity medicine say the arrival of generics could significantly improve access for patients who currently pay out of pocket, often several hundred dollars per month. While prices are expected to fall once multiple competitors enter the market, doctors caution patients will need to discuss brand-name and generic options individually with their health-care providers, as responses can vary.
Even with lower prices, clinicians emphasize semaglutide is only one part of treating diabetes and obesity. Broader care, including lifestyle support and other medical interventions, remains essential, particularly as roughly one in three Canadian adults lives with obesity.
Health Canada says it recognizes strong public interest in lowering costs for highly prescribed medications but cannot provide timelines while reviews are ongoing. Until approvals are granted, Canadians will likely continue relying on brand-name products, with price relief still months away.
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