Title: The Divide: Why Canada Accesses Generic Ozempic While the US Does Not

For nearly a year, Elizabeth Doran has relied on GLP-1 medications to manage her weight, aiming to reverse prediabetes and hypertension. At 69 and retired, Doran, who resides in Ottawa, was prescribed Wegovy—a drug sister to Ozempic—because she had not yet been diagnosed with diabetes, despite being "one decimal point away" from doing so. Both medications utilize the active ingredient semaglutide.

Because her diagnosis did not include diabetes, Doran was excluded from the insurance coverage provided to diabetic seniors in Ontario. Consequently, she faced monthly out-of-pocket costs ranging from C$350 ($250; £188) to C$500. To manage these expenses, Doran took on substitute teaching roles several times a month and utilized Novo Nordisk’s discount cards and a promotional first-month-free offer. However, the financial burden may soon ease. In May, Canada became the inaugural G7 nation to authorize generic semaglutide injections. Although originally intended for type 2 diabetes, the medication can be prescribed off-label for weight loss.

These lower-cost alternatives are projected to reach Canadian pharmacies by early June at prices below one-third of the original cost. This shift significantly improves accessibility for the three million Canadians currently using GLP-1 drugs, as well as many others who had previously shied away due to cost. The market entry of generics has already compelled Novo Nordisk to reduce prices on its brand-name offerings.

The situation presents a stark contrast to the United States, where uninsured patients may pay over US$1,000 monthly for Ozempic. Due to patent regulations that permit companies to maintain monopolies for extended periods, low-cost alternatives are not anticipated in the US for several years. This disparity is particularly notable given that an estimated 15 million American adults are believed to use GLP-1 medications.

Canada’s move follows similar actions by India, which approved numerous low-cost versions of the drug this year. This development triggered a price war, leading Novo Nordisk to slash Ozempic and Wegovy prices by nearly half in India. Health Canada has already approved generic Ozempic from two sources: the Indian pharmaceutical firm Dr Reddy’s and the Canadian company Apotex.

Erez Israeli, CEO of Dr Reddy’s, revealed to the BBC that the company has sought approval in over 80 nations, including the US. While he anticipates the generic GLP-1 will soon be available in South America, Africa, and most of Asia, he noted that the US, UK, and Europe remain excluded from this immediate rollout. Apotex has obtained tentative approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but is currently prohibited from selling its generic semaglutide in the American market.

Tahir Amin, CEO and founder of the US-based Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge (I-MAK), explained that US and European regulations allow firms to extend patents for several years to offset regulatory delays. According to Amin, Americans will likely not see a generic option until 2032, when the primary patent for semaglutide is set to expire.

In contrast, Novo Nordisk’s patent for Ozempic in Canada could have been extended until 2028, but the company did not renew it. Amin suggested that "somebody dropped the ball," resulting in the earlier availability of generics in Canada. Novo Nordisk stated that the Canadian situation was "localized," driven by specific patent timelines and regulatory conditions, and emphasized that exclusivity remains intact in the United States.

Despite these legal barriers, Amin noted that discussions are likely underway among American patients regarding how to access cheaper generic Ozempic from Canada. This would not be the first instance of Americans seeking cross-border solutions.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-03 23:34:48 UTC