Health Canada Warns on Counterfeit GLP-1s as Generic Supply Tightens

Health Canada is urging Canadians to buy GLP-1 products only from licensed pharmacies, citing a marketplace where retailers and online sellers have been identified offering unauthorized or counterfeit versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide products.

Advisory RA-81518

The public advisory, identified as RA-81518 and last updated January 21, 2026, warns consumers about unauthorized and counterfeit glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist products in Canada. Health Canada names semaglutide brands including Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, and tirzepatide brands Mounjaro and Zepbound, as authentic products authorized by Health Canada.

The advisory states that some websites and social media advertisements misuse official Health Canada logos and display fake endorsements, and confirms that Health Canada never endorses a health product and does not permit its logo to be used in advertising or packaging of health products.

Risks Flagged by the Regulator

Health Canada lists the following risks tied to unauthorized or counterfeit products:

• Containing too much, too little, or none of the active ingredient
• Containing unlisted or unknown ingredients
• Containing contaminants such as solvents, heavy metals, particles or microbials
• Being poorly or incorrectly labelled
• Being improperly manufactured or stored

The advisory notes that injectable unauthorized products carry additional risks tied to lack of sterility and unsafe administration. Health Canada is working with the Canada Border Services Agency to stop unauthorized shipments from entering the country and has taken actions including seizures and compliance letters.

Supply Constraints in the Authorized Channel

The counterfeit warning lands as authorized supply in Canada faces pressure. On an earnings call reported by Global News, Patrik Jonsson, president of Lilly International, said the company was "pleasantly surprised" by its performance in Canada and added that generic competitors have shown significant supply constraints that the company is monitoring closely.

Emil Kongshøj Larsen, executive vice-president of internal operations at Novo Nordisk, said generic players have started to capture market share while the company has grown absolute volumes, and identified the savings card program as its leading tactic in Canada, citing volume retention for Ozempic and Wegovy in cash and private insurance channels.

Q2 Sales Backdrop

Global News reported that Mounjaro sales rose 91 per cent in the second quarter to US$9.94 billion, and that Zepbound sales reached US$4.93 billion, with the two products together accounting for 64.7 per cent of Eli Lilly's revenue in April, May and June. Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said on the company's earnings call that Wegovy pill sales had surpassed five million prescriptions in the U.S. since launch.

How to Verify Authorized Product

Health Canada advises consumers to check for the eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the label and to search the Drug Product Database to confirm a product is authorized. Canadians can also consult our generic semaglutide tracker, insurance coverage checker, or FAQ for verified pharmacy pricing on authorized brands. Current pharmacy prices tracked on GLP1Prices.ca range CA$83–$663 for Ozempic, CA$245–$800 for Mounjaro, and CA$270–$550 for Wegovy.

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 ...