If you’ve been following the buzz around weight loss and diabetes medications, a massive shift is officially happening at your local pharmacy. Generic versions of semaglutide—the blockbuster active ingredient in Ozempic are landing on Canadian shelves right now, and it’s expected to be an absolute game-changer for both availability and your wallet.
Canada has actually become the first G7 country to greenlight these generics, following the expiry of Novo Nordisk’s regulatory exclusivity back in January. Health Canada recently approved versions from Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Canadian pharma giant Apotex. Dr. Reddy’s version officially launched last week, with nationwide distribution ramping up right now.
So, what does this mean for patients? While the brand-name Ozempic is built through a complex biological process using yeast, the generics are built chemically, kind of like assembling amino acids like a Lego set to create the exact same molecule. Experts assure that they will work identically in the body, carrying the same benefits and side effects.
The best news? The price drop. While brand-name pens cost around $300 to $400 a month, experts predict that as more generics enter the market, the price could plummet to around 35% of the original cost, potentially bringing monthly bills down to around $100.
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