BMJ: $250 Unpaid Fee Opened Door to Canada's Generic Semaglutide

The $250 trigger

According to the BMJ news report published May 19, 2026, two generic versions of injectable semaglutide have been authorized by Health Canada in recent weeks: one from India's Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and one from Canadian manufacturer Apotex [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166]. The BMJ characterizes Canada as the second country globally to clear such a generic, with the regulatory opening tied to Novo Nordisk's decision not to pay the C$250 annual patent fee [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166].

Seven other generic semaglutide applications remain under review at Health Canada, the BMJ noted [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166]. Dr. Reddy's product became available in Canada on May 15, 2026, while Apotex's release date had not been announced at the time of the BMJ report [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166].

Health Canada's own framing

Health Canada announced the first authorization on April 28, 2026, describing the country as the first G7 nation to approve a generic version of semaglutide [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/04/canada-becomes-the-first-g7-country-to-approve-a-generic-version-of-semaglutide.html]. The regulator confirmed the Dr. Reddy's submission is a generic version of Ozempic and is indicated for once-weekly treatment of adult patients with type 2 diabetes [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/04/canada-becomes-the-first-g7-country-to-approve-a-generic-version-of-semaglutide.html].

At the time of that announcement, Health Canada said it was reviewing eight other submissions for generic semaglutide from different companies and expected decisions on more of them in the coming weeks and months [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/04/canada-becomes-the-first-g7-country-to-approve-a-generic-version-of-semaglutide.html].

Pricing as products reach shelves

Apotex began shipping its generic semaglutide on Tuesday and has said its product will be priced at approximately one-third of Novo Nordisk's brand-name Ozempic [Source: bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/05/20/generic-semaglutide-to-hit-canadian-pharmacies-this-week-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-ozempic/]. Dr. Reddy's said in an email that its semaglutide has already arrived in select Canadian pharmacies and pricing will be "competitive" [Source: bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/05/20/generic-semaglutide-to-hit-canadian-pharmacies-this-week-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-ozempic/].

Under the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance pricing structure, when two generic medications enter the market they are at least 50 per cent cheaper than the brand name, though companies can price them lower [Source: bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/05/20/generic-semaglutide-to-hit-canadian-pharmacies-this-week-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-ozempic/]. Felix, an online pharmacy platform, said it was launching lower-cost semaglutide on Thursday for $150 a month [Source: bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/05/20/generic-semaglutide-to-hit-canadian-pharmacies-this-week-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-ozempic/].

Global News reported that Ozempic and Wegovy currently cost hundreds of dollars a month depending on dosage, in some cases more than $450 [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/]. Current pharmacy listings on GLP1Prices.ca place Ozempic between $222 and $663 CAD and Wegovy between $270 and $490 CAD, consistent with that range.

Distribution and substitution

• Vital, Canada's pharmaceutical supply chain alliance, confirmed generics are moving to pharmacies through distributors first, with availability varying across regions [Source: bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/05/20/generic-semaglutide-to-hit-canadian-pharmacies-this-week-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-ozempic/].
• A Rexall spokesperson said the company expects a shipment of generic semaglutide by the end of the week [Source: bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/05/20/generic-semaglutide-to-hit-canadian-pharmacies-this-week-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-ozempic/].
• Shoppers Drug Mart said inventory is beginning to arrive at distribution centres and select locations, with availability continuing to expand through the end of the week and into next [Source: bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/05/20/generic-semaglutide-to-hit-canadian-pharmacies-this-week-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-ozempic/].
• Alison Kraayvanger of the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada said pharmacists can substitute the generic for the brand product under existing provincial substitution rules, unless the prescriber indicates otherwise [Source: bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/05/20/generic-semaglutide-to-hit-canadian-pharmacies-this-week-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-ozempic/].

Novo Nordisk's response

Novo Nordisk Canada said in a statement that it "is actively exploring a range of strategies to respond to evolving market conditions and patient needs" and said it offers a savings program for some patients [Source: bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/05/20/generic-semaglutide-to-hit-canadian-pharmacies-this-week-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-ozempic/]. Mina Tadrous, a pharmaceutical policy expert at the University of Toronto, said the public interest in a cheaper version is "a bit unprecedented" and that the first patients to obtain generics will likely be those paying out of pocket [Source: bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/05/20/generic-semaglutide-to-hit-canadian-pharmacies-this-week-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-ozempic/].

For ongoing tracking of brand and generic pricing across Canadian pharmacies, see the generic semaglutide tracker and the insurance coverage checker. Patients comparing alternatives can also review Rybelsus and Mounjaro listings, or consult our FAQ.