Dr. Reddy's CEO Israeli Frames Canada Launch as Access Mission
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories chief executive Erez Israeli has publicly framed the company's Canadian generic semaglutide launch as an access-expansion mission, telling reporters that as the first company to receive market authorisation for generic semaglutide injection in Canada, the firm remains dedicated to expanding access to innovative, high-quality, affordable GLP-1 treatments for patients with diabetes in the country [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166].
The CEO Statement
Israeli's statement, reported by BMJ on May 19, 2026, marks one of the first on-record comments from a generic manufacturer chief executive following Health Canada's authorization of generic semaglutide. The BMJ noted that Canada has become only the second country in the world to approve a generic form of Ozempic (semaglutide), made possible after Novo Nordisk did not pay a C$250 annual fee [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166].
The BMJ report also confirmed that two generic versions of the injectable form of semaglutide were approved by Health Canada in recent weeks, from India's Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and the Canadian company Apotex, with seven other applications still under review [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166].
Health Canada's Authorization
Health Canada authorized the Dr. Reddy's submission on April 28, 2026, describing it as the first generic semaglutide authorized by Health Canada and the first to be approved in the G7 [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/04/canada-becomes-the-first-g7-country-to-approve-a-generic-version-of-semaglutide.html].
According to the Health Canada notice, the semaglutide injection submission filed by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories is a generic version of the brand name drug Ozempic, and the department authorized the drug after a thorough review of evidence provided by the company [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/04/canada-becomes-the-first-g7-country-to-approve-a-generic-version-of-semaglutide.html].
Health Canada also confirmed it is currently reviewing eight other submissions for generic semaglutide by different companies, and expects to make regulatory decisions on more of these submissions 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].
Reaching Pharmacy Shelves
The BMJ confirmed that the generic version from Dr. Reddy's became available in Canada on May 15, 2026, while the Apotex version does not yet have a release date [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166].
According to Global News, Dr. Reddy's said in an email that its semaglutide had already arrived in select Canadian pharmacies and would be available more widely across the country in the coming days [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/]. A spokesperson for Dr. Reddy's did not disclose pricing details except to say that it will be competitive [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/].
Apotex said its generic semaglutide will be approximately one-third the price of Novo Nordisk's brand-name Ozempic [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/]. For context, current pharmacy prices tracked on GLP1Prices.ca for brand-name Ozempic range from $215 to $663 CAD across reporting pharmacies.
Distribution Through Major Chains
Global News reported that a spokesperson for Rexall said the company expects a shipment of generic semaglutide by the end of the week, and that Shoppers Drug Mart's spokesperson said in an email that inventory is beginning to arrive at distribution centres and select Shoppers Drug Mart locations [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/].
Vital, Canada's pharmaceutical supply chain alliance, confirmed that generic semaglutide products are on their way to pharmacies but are going through distributors first, and warned that availability may vary across regions as products move through the supply chain to Canada's more than 10,000 pharmacies [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/].
Context for Patients
The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada said that as Health Canada has approved the Dr. Reddy's and Apotex products as generic equivalents to Ozempic, pharmacists are able to substitute the generic for the brand product in accordance with existing provincial substitution rules, unless the prescriber has indicated otherwise or there is a clinical reason the patient requires the brand product [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/].
Patients tracking the broader landscape can consult our generic semaglutide tracker, our insurance coverage checker, or our FAQ for additional context. Brand alternatives currently tracked include Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, and Zepbound.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Get notified when generic prices go live
We’ll send one email the moment generic semaglutide prices are listed at Canadian pharmacies. No spam.
Track generic semaglutide prices at Canadian pharmacies
Apo-Semaglutide launched in May 2026. Get notified when it's available at your pharmacy or when prices change.
