Dr. Reddy's Generic Semaglutide Reached Canadian Pharmacies May 15

The Dr. Reddy's Laboratories generic version of semaglutide became available in Canada on May 15, 2026, marking the first commercial arrival of a generic semaglutide in any G7 country [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166].

The launch follows Health Canada's April 28, 2026 authorization of the Dr. Reddy's submission, which was the first generic semaglutide injection approved by the regulator and the first 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]. The injection is a generic of Novo Nordisk's brand-name Ozempic [Source: canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/04/canada-becomes-the-first-g7-country-to-approve-a-generic-version-of-semaglutide.html].

Retailer rollout

Dr. Reddy's said by 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 the company did not disclose pricing details except to say that the price would be "competitive" [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/].

A spokesperson for Rexall said the company expected a shipment of generic semaglutide by the end of the week [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/]. Shoppers Drug Mart's spokesperson said in an email that "inventory is beginning to arrive at our distribution centres and select Shoppers Drug Mart locations," adding that availability was expected to continue expanding across Canada through the end of that week and into the next, with timing varying by province and individual store [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/].

Supply chain

Vital, identified as Canada's pharmaceutical supply chain alliance, confirmed that generic semaglutide products were on their way to pharmacies but were moving through distributors first [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/]. A Vital spokesperson said patients should be aware 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/].

Apotex, the Canadian company whose generic semaglutide was the second authorized by Health Canada, said it began shipping its product on the Tuesday referenced in the report [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/]. The BMJ noted that the Apotex version does not yet have a release date [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166].

Substitution rules

The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada said that because Health Canada 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/].

Alison Kraayvanger, spokesperson for the association, added that whether and when public and private drug plans choose to reimburse the generic versions instead of the brand product will be determined independently by each provincial drug plan and private insurer [Source: globalnews.ca/news/11857122/generic-semaglutide-canada-sales-begin/].

Pipeline ahead

Health Canada said it is currently reviewing eight other submissions for generic semaglutide from 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]. The BMJ reported that seven other applications are still under review [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166].

Erez Israeli, chief executive of Dr. Reddy's, said in a press release that as the first company to receive market authorisation for generic semaglutide injection in Canada, the company remains dedicated to expanding access to GLP-1 treatments for patients with diabetes in the country [Source: bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-597166].

Readers tracking the rollout can consult the generic semaglutide tracker, the insurance coverage checker, or the FAQ. Brand-name products including Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro and Zepbound remain available alongside the new generic supply.

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