Canadians Battle Insurers for Semaglutide Coverage Amid Generic Delay

Some Canadians are still fighting insurance companies to cover Ozempic as a lower-cost generic version has yet to arrive in Canada, CTV News reported on April 14, 2026 [Source: ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/delay-on-generic-ozempic-in-canada-causing-concern-for-some-patients/].

Coverage battles continue past patent expiry

The Novo Nordisk patent on semaglutide expired in Canada on January 5, 2026, making Canada the first major market where generic versions of the country's best-selling drug became legal [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/]. More than three months later, no generic versions have been approved for sale in Canada, leaving patients dependent on the branded products Ozempic and Wegovy and the insurance plans that may or may not cover them [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/].

Dr. David Macklin, director of the Medcan Weight Management Program in Toronto, told CBC News that a monthly supply of Ozempic or Wegovy costs between $300 and $400, and sometimes more depending on the dose [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. Those figures align with current pharmacy prices tracked on GLP1Prices.ca, where Ozempic ranges from $222 to $663 CAD and Wegovy ranges from $270 to $599 CAD per month.

Patients rationing and stretching benefits

CBC News profiled Sarah Brooks, who first went on Ozempic in 2023 and switched to Wegovy after regaining weight when she lost her job and benefits in late 2024 [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. Brooks told CBC her new employer's plan allots $2,000 a year in discretionary benefits, which she is spending on her medication [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. She said her benefits will only cover a few more months of Wegovy and that she may consider skipping doses if costs rise [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339].

Dr. Nav Persaud, Canada Research Chair in Health Justice and a staff physician at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, told CBC News that even patients with insurance can struggle with co-payments, and that patients without coverage almost always have to reduce their dose or stop taking the medication entirely [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. Patients without coverage can use our insurance coverage checker to review what private and public plans currently reimburse.

Nine generic applications still pending

Health Canada currently has nine applications to make generic semaglutide under review, some filed as early as February 2024 [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/]. Three of those applications are from Apotex, filed in January, April and November of 2025 [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/]. Apotex announced on Friday it won tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a generic injectable semaglutide developed with Indian pharmaceutical company Orbicular Pharmaceutical Technologies [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/]. Apotex spokesperson Catherine Thomas declined to comment on the company's Canadian applications [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/].

Health Canada's target for assessing generic drug applications is 180 days [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/]. Spokesperson Marie-Pier Burelle wrote in a March 25 email that reviews may take longer if data is missing or additional data are required, that Health Canada pauses its review while awaiting additional information, and that the pause time does not count toward the 180-day target [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/]. She added that Health Canada is on track to meet review targets for generic semaglutide submissions [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/].

Projected generic pricing

Mina Tadrous, associate professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto, told CBC News he estimates generics might be available in Canada by this summer or early fall [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. Tadrous said that once enough generics come online, the price could be around $100 a month or less depending on dosage [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339].

For comparison, patients currently tracking tirzepatide products Mounjaro and Zepbound, or the oral semaglutide pill Rybelsus, can monitor approval progress through our generic semaglutide tracker. Additional questions about coverage, dispensing and pricing are addressed in our FAQ.

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