Health Canada Review Cites 7.1M GLP-1 Prescriptions in 2023

Health Canada's Summary Safety Review on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists discloses that approximately 7.1 million prescriptions for GLP-1 RAs were dispensed by Canadian retail pharmacies in 2023 [Source: dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/review-documents/resource/SSR1737728420090]. The figure offers one of the clearest official benchmarks of the scale of GLP-1 dispensing in Canada heading into the generic-semaglutide era.

What the safety review document says

The Summary Safety Review covers dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide and semaglutide-containing products, and notes that GLP-1 receptor agonists have been marketed in Canada since 2010 [Source: dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/review-documents/resource/SSR1737728420090]. All GLP-1 RA products are available as subcutaneous injections, while semaglutide is also available as an oral tablet [Source: dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/review-documents/resource/SSR1737728420090].

The document lists the products authorized in Canada by class, including Ozempic and Rybelsus (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Xultophy and Soliqua for adults with type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents who are obese or overweight [Source: dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/review-documents/resource/SSR1737728420090].

Case methodology disclosed

Health Canada reviewed 15 cases of suicide, self-harm and suicidal/self-harm ideation in patients using GLP-1 RAs, including 3 Canadian and 12 international reports, with 2 drawn from published literature [Source: dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/review-documents/resource/SSR1737728420090]. Of those 15 cases, 12 were found to be possibly linked to use of GLP-1 RAs, while 3 could not be assessed due to missing clinical information [Source: dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/review-documents/resource/SSR1737728420090].

The review states that a definitive link could not be confirmed due to insufficient information about possible confounders such as pre-existing mental health problems, family history, life stressors, social and environmental factors, and use of other medications with labelling related to suicidality [Source: dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/review-documents/resource/SSR1737728420090].

The review's conclusion: Health Canada did not find evidence to support a link between GLP-1 RAs and the risks of suicide, self-harm and suicidal/self-harm ideation in patients with type 2 diabetes, but there was not enough information to determine if there is a link in patients with obesity [Source: dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/review-documents/resource/SSR1737728420090].

Context: generic semaglutide and ongoing monitoring

The dispensing figure lands as Health Canada continues to expand the GLP-1 marketplace. On April 28, 2026, the department authorized a generic semaglutide injection from Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, the first generic semaglutide authorized by Health Canada and the first 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]. Health Canada has said it is reviewing eight other submissions for generic semaglutide by different companies and expects to make additional regulatory decisions 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].

HR Reporter, summarizing Health Canada's commentary, noted that many generic medicines in Canada are 45% to 90% cheaper than their brand-name counterparts [Source: hrreporter.com/focus-areas/compensation-and-benefits/canada-first-in-g7-to-approve-generic-ozempic/394374]. Tirzepatide products such as Mounjaro and Zepbound are not included in the GLP-1 RA Summary Safety Review, which is scoped to the five molecules listed above [Source: dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/review-documents/resource/SSR1737728420090].

Health Canada published a Health Product InfoWatch communication in December 2024 to share information about the review with healthcare professionals, and said it will continue to monitor the safety of GLP-1 RAs [Source: dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/review-documents/resource/SSR1737728420090].

For consumers

Patients tracking the post-patent market can follow our generic semaglutide tracker for updates on additional Health Canada decisions, and use the insurance coverage checker to confirm plan rules. Additional background on regulatory terminology is available in our FAQ.

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