Canada Counterfeit GLP-1 Advisory Meets Generic Supply Gaps

Health Canada's public advisory RA-81518, last updated January 21, 2026, continues to warn Canadians against unauthorized and counterfeit versions of GLP-1 receptor agonists, arriving in a market where both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have publicly acknowledged generic supply constraints and shifting competitive dynamics.

The Health Canada Advisory

Advisory RA-81518, issued by Health Canada, identifies various retailers in Canada selling unauthorized GLP-1 products both in stores and online, with some websites and social media advertisements misusing official Health Canada logos and displaying fake endorsements to mislead consumers. The regulator states that it never endorses a health product and does not allow its logo to be used in the advertising or packaging of health products.

The advisory covers semaglutide products (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy) and tirzepatide products (Mounjaro, Zepbound). Health Canada advises consumers to only purchase prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies and to verify authorization by checking for the eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the label using its Drug Product Database.

Supply Constraints Cited in Q2 Earnings

The advisory lands as both brand-name manufacturers describe pressures in the Canadian market. On an earnings call, Patrik Jonsson, president of Lilly International, said Lilly was "pleasantly surprised" by its performance in Canada and noted, "We have also seen the generic companies actually having significant supply constraints. I think that's something that we need to monitor very closely".

Novo Nordisk executives described their Canadian response strategy on the same day. Emil Kongshøj Larsen, executive vice-president of internal operations at Novo Nordisk, said, "While the generic players have started to capture market share, we have so far been able to grow our absolute volumes," adding that "In Canada, our leading tactic is the savings card program, and we've seen good volume retention for both Ozempic and Wegovy in the cash and private insurance channels".

Risks of Unauthorized Products

Health Canada's advisory outlines specific hazards tied to unauthorized or counterfeit versions, including:

• Containing too much, too little, or none of the active ingredient
• Containing unlisted or unknown ingredients, contaminants such as solvents, heavy metals, particles, or microbials
• Being poorly labelled or improperly manufactured or stored
• Additional risks for injectable products including infections from lack of sterility

Health Canada states that it is actively monitoring the marketplace and taking enforcement actions including seizures and warning letters, working with the Canada Border Services Agency to stop unauthorized shipments from entering the country.

Pricing Context on GLP1Prices.ca

The counterfeit warning takes on added weight given the price gap between authorized brand products and speculative discount offers. Current pharmacy prices tracked on GLP1Prices.ca range from CAD $86.40 to $663 for Ozempic, $270 to $550 for Wegovy, $230 to $293.99 for Rybelsus, $245 to $800 for Mounjaro, and $276.66 to $609 for Zepbound. Sandoz has publicly estimated its proposed generic tirzepatide product would cost between US$200 and US$400 per month without insurance, though that product remains under FDA review and is not authorized for the Canadian market.

What Consumers Should Verify

Health Canada's guidance is that only licensed pharmacies can legally sell prescription drugs in Canada, and consumers should verify DIN numbers before purchase. Canadians can use our insurance coverage checker and generic semaglutide tracker to compare authorized options, or review our FAQ for information on Health Canada authorization status.

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

Sources

• Thinking about buying GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic or Mounjaro ...
• GLP-1 drugs are driving higher sales for Eli Lilly and Novo ...
• Mounjaro, Zepbound: Generic GLP-1 Drugs May Soon Be ...