Apotex Generic Semaglutide to Reach Canadian Pharmacies in Weeks

Apotex says its newly approved generic semaglutide injection should reach Canadian pharmacies within weeks, according to the Toronto-based company's vice president of global communications, Catherine Thomas [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/ozempic-semaglutide-generic-version-canada-9.7184915].

Approval timeline

Health Canada authorized the Apotex generic semaglutide injection on May 1, 2026, three days after clearing the first generic semaglutide, manufactured by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/05/canada-approves-second-generic-semaglutide-the-first-g7-country-to-do-so.html]. The Apotex product is a generic version of the brand-name drug Ozempic and is indicated for the once-weekly treatment of adult patients with type 2 diabetes to manage blood sugar levels [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/05/canada-approves-second-generic-semaglutide-the-first-g7-country-to-do-so.html].

Health Canada said it is currently reviewing seven other submissions for generic semaglutide from different companies, with additional regulatory decisions expected in the coming weeks and months [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/05/canada-approves-second-generic-semaglutide-the-first-g7-country-to-do-so.html].

Apotex commits to near-term launch

"Our team is committed to bringing this product to market in the very near future," Thomas told CBC News in an email. "Our goal is to have it available in the coming weeks." [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/ozempic-semaglutide-generic-version-canada-9.7184915]

Thomas added that Apotex is working with health insurance companies on coverage. "For most private plans, the process to include generics happens shortly after launch," she said [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/ozempic-semaglutide-generic-version-canada-9.7184915]. Patients can use the insurance coverage checker to monitor private plan formularies.

How much cheaper could it be?

Under the pricing structure of the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance, the first generic medication could be priced at 75 to 85 per cent of the brand-name product [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/ozempic-semaglutide-generic-version-canada-9.7184915]. Once a second generic enters the market, the price for both drops to 50 per cent of the brand-name price [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/ozempic-semaglutide-generic-version-canada-9.7184915]. When three or more generic products are available, the cost would decrease to about 35 per cent of brand-name Ozempic's price [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/ozempic-semaglutide-generic-version-canada-9.7184915].

CBC News reported that depending on the dose, patients without drug coverage have been paying about $300 to $400 per month, sometimes more, for brand-name semaglutide [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/ozempic-semaglutide-generic-version-canada-9.7184915]. Current pharmacy prices tracked on GLP1Prices.ca for Ozempic range from $222 to $663 CAD across Canadian pharmacies, broadly consistent with that range at typical doses.

Global News reported that, according to Felix, a Canadian integrated health-care platform, the average cost of Ozempic injections can be between $200 and $450 per month depending on the province [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11826332/canada-approves-2nd-generic-version-semaglutide/]. Health Canada has stated that many generic medications are 45 to 90 per cent cheaper than the brand-name versions [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11826332/canada-approves-2nd-generic-version-semaglutide/].

What it means for the broader GLP-1 market

Apotex is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Toronto [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/ozempic-semaglutide-generic-version-canada-9.7184915]. Its launch follows the Dr. Reddy's clearance and makes Canada the first G7 country to authorize generic semaglutide [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/05/canada-approves-second-generic-semaglutide-the-first-g7-country-to-do-so.html].

The Apotex authorization applies only to semaglutide. Brand-name Wegovy, Rybelsus, and the tirzepatide products Mounjaro and Zepbound are not affected by these generic semaglutide approvals. Readers can follow the generic semaglutide tracker for further authorizations and consult our FAQ for background on regulatory terminology.

Key facts

• Apotex authorization: May 1, 2026 [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/05/canada-approves-second-generic-semaglutide-the-first-g7-country-to-do-so.html]
• Expected launch: within weeks, per Apotex VP Catherine Thomas [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/ozempic-semaglutide-generic-version-canada-9.7184915]
• Other reviews: seven additional generic semaglutide submissions under Health Canada review [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/05/canada-approves-second-generic-semaglutide-the-first-g7-country-to-do-so.html]

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.