Canada

Generic semaglutide in Canada, plainly explained

Pending medical review

Applies to: Canada

By Joshua Nichvolodoff · Fact-checked against sources November 2, 2026 · Next review due January 31, 2027

Clinical review: not yet reviewed by a clinician. How review works · Editorial policy

In the spring of 2026, Canada became the first G7 country to authorize a generic version of semaglutide — the medicine in Ozempic and Wegovy[1]. Here is what was authorized, what prices were reported, and what public plans do and don't cover. No advice — just the lay of the land, with sources.

What actually changed

Generic drugs usually can't launch until the original maker's patents expire. In Canada, Novo Nordisk's core semaglutide patent lapsed after its maintenance fees went unpaid in 2019 — which the company has described as a deliberate decision[4]. That opened the door to generic competition in Canada.

The generics authorized so far

Dr. Reddy's generic semaglutide

Apr 28, 2026

The first generic authorized — a version of Ozempic for adults with type 2 diabetes[1], in 2 mg and 4 mg pens[5].

Apo-Semaglutide (Apotex)

May 1, 2026

A generic of Ozempic for adults with type 2 diabetes[6], in 2 mg and 4 mg pens[7]. More

Sevmia (Apotex)

Jun 29, 2026

The first generic semaglutide authorized for chronic weight management — the generic counterpart to Wegovy, for patients 12 years and over[2]. More

Health Canada's list of generic submissions under review, current as of September 30, 2026, included 11 more semaglutide submissions[3].

What prices were reported

Apotex said it priced its generic at approximately one-third of the brand price[8]. Every figure below is dated and sourced; none is a current price.

Reported figures (CAD)

Wholesale, per four weeks: $78.14 generic vs $240.48 brand (as reported by The Globe and Mail, May 26, 2026; checked November 2, 2026 — may have changed)[9]

Generic pen, cash, Ontario pharmacy phone survey by Teletest.ca, June 9, 2026: Costco $88.88[10], Shoppers Drug Mart $103.53[10] (historical)

Brand Ozempic, cash, Ontario survey: $258.19–$282 (as reported by Teletest.ca (price tracker), June 9, 2026; checked November 2, 2026 — may have changed)[10]

Prices vary by pharmacy, province, and over time. Ask your pharmacy for a quote.

What's covered

Broadly, public drug plans cover semaglutide for type 2 diabetes — with conditions — and not for weight management.

Diabetes (Ozempic and its generics)

Covered with criteria. Ontario's drug benefit lists it as a Limited Use benefit after metformin[11]; BC PharmaCare covers it through Special Authority[12]; in Quebec, INESSS records Apo-Semaglutide as an exception medication[13].

Weight management (Wegovy and Sevmia)

Not on the BC or Ontario public plans, whose listings are for type 2 diabetes[14][11]. Most people pay out of pocket or rely on private insurance, and coverage varies plan by plan.

Your pharmacist can check your exact plan and whether a generic substitution applies to your prescription. Generics are not the same as "compounded" products — see compounded vs generic vs brand-name.

Switching pens, not starting over

If your pharmacy moves you from a brand pen to a generic, your logged history in Light Years stays yours. Open Light Years.

Have a quote from your own pharmacy? Work out your monthly and yearly cost — it runs in your browser, and nothing you type is sent anywhere.

This page is general information, not medical advice, and not a recommendation to start, stop, or switch any medication. Light Years has no affiliation with any manufacturer and earns nothing from the products named here.

Sources

  1. Canada becomes the first G7 country to approve a generic version of semaglutide. Health Canada, April 28, 2026. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/04/canada-becomes-the-first-g7-country-to-approve-a-generic-version-of-semaglutide.html. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  2. Canada approves first generic semaglutide for weight loss. Health Canada, June 29, 2026. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/06/canada-approves-first-generic-semaglutide-for-weight-loss.html. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  3. Generic submissions under review (list current as of September 30, 2026). Health Canada, October 23, 2026. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drug-health-product-review-approval/generic-submissions-under-review.html. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  4. The semaglutide saga continues: navigating generic entry and reinforcing patent strategies in Canada. Brunet & Co. (via Legal 500), November 18, 2025. https://www.legal500.com/intelligence/canada/intellectual-property/the-semaglutide-saga-continues-navigating-generic-entry-and-reinforcing-patent-strategies-in-canada. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  5. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories launches its generic semaglutide injection in Canada. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, May 15, 2026. https://www.drreddys.com/cms/sites/default/files/2026-05/Semaglutide.pdf. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  6. Canada approves second generic semaglutide, the first G7 country to do so. Health Canada, May 1, 2026. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/05/canada-approves-second-generic-semaglutide-the-first-g7-country-to-do-so.html. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  7. Apotex becomes the first Canadian-based pharmaceutical company to receive Health Canada approval for a generic equivalent of Ozempic. Apotex, May 1, 2026. https://investors.apotex.com/2026-05-01-Apotex-becomes-the-first-Canadian-based-pharmaceutical-company-to-receive-Health-Canada-approval-for-a-generic-equivalent-of-Ozempic-R. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  8. Generic Ozempic to hit pharmacies this week, but availability will vary across Canada. The Globe and Mail / The Canadian Press, May 20, 2026. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-generic-semaglutide-pharmacies-canada-availability-ozempic/. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  9. Ozempic maker cuts price as generic versions hit pharmacy shelves. The Globe and Mail, May 26, 2026. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-ozempic-price-brand-name-drug-generic-semaglutide-weight-loss/. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  10. Ozempic cost in Canada (June 2026) — pharmacy phone survey, Ontario. Teletest.ca (price tracker), June 9, 2026. https://teletest.ca/cost/drug/ozempic/. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  11. Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary — Limited Use criteria, semaglutide. Ontario Ministry of Health. https://www.formulary.health.gov.on.ca/formulary/limitedUseNotes.xhtml?pcg9Id=682006002. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  12. PharmaCare Newsletter, June 2026 — June 15 special release: formulary update, generic semaglutide. BC Ministry of Health, June 15, 2026. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/health-drug-coverage/pharmacare/newsletters/pharmacare_newsletter_june_2026.pdf. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  13. Apo-Semaglutide Injection — extrait d'avis au ministre. INESSS (Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux), June 18, 2026. https://www.inesss.qc.ca/thematiques/medicaments/medicaments-evaluation-aux-fins-dinscription/extrait-davis-au-ministre/apo-semaglutide-injection-8125.html. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
  14. Medications for chronic weight management in adults: update on semaglutide and tirzepatide (Summer 2026). BC Provincial Academic Detailing Service, BC Ministry of Health, July 22, 2026. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/practitioner-pro/provincial-academic-detailing-service/bc_pad_2026_semaglutide_tirzepatide_chronic_weight_management_summer_2026_update.pdf. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text

Figures marked “as reported” are historical: they show what the source said on that date, not today's price or rule.

Changes to this page

  • — Updated submissions under review (11 as of Sept 30, 2026); re-attributed price figures; softened the Quebec description; added Key facts.
  • — First published.

Substantive corrections are also logged at corrections.

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