Novo, Lilly Executives Flag Canadian Generic Supply Constraints

Executives at both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly publicly addressed the Canadian GLP-1 market on their second-quarter earnings calls, with both companies pointing to supply constraints among new generic entrants and brand-defence tactics such as savings cards.

Lilly flags generic supply constraints in Canada

Patrik Jonsson, president of Lilly International, told investors the company was "pleasantly surprised" by its performance in Canada and said generic competitors had encountered "significant supply constraints" that Lilly intended to monitor closely. Lilly's Mounjaro sales rose 91 per cent in the second quarter to US$9.94 billion, well above analyst expectations, while Zepbound revenue reached US$4.93 billion. Together the two tirzepatide brands accounted for 64.7 per cent of Lilly's revenue in April, May and June. Lilly Canada continues to market Mounjaro through its official Canadian channel.

Novo Nordisk leans on Canadian savings card

Emil Kongshøj Larsen, executive vice-president of internal operations at Novo Nordisk, told investors that "while the generic players have started to capture market share, we have so far been able to grow our absolute volumes". Larsen added that in Canada, "our leading tactic is the savings card program, and we've seen good volume retention for both Ozempic and Wegovy in the cash and private insurance channels". Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said on the same call that the company is "treating almost 70 per cent more people" compared with a year earlier and noted growing demand for the oral format. Canadian cash-pay pricing on Ozempic currently ranges from $86.40 to $663 across the pharmacies tracked by GLP1Prices.ca, while Wegovy ranges from $270 to $550 and Rybelsus from $230 to $293.99.

Health Canada maintains counterfeit advisory

While brand manufacturers defend market share, Health Canada's public advisory RA-81518 on unauthorized and counterfeit GLP-1 receptor agonist products remains in effect, last updated January 21, 2026. The regulator has identified various retailers in Canada selling unauthorized GLP-1 products both in stores and online, and said some websites and social media advertisements misuse official Health Canada logos and display fake endorsements. Health Canada stated it "never endorses a health product and does not allow its logo to be used in the advertising or packaging of health products".

What buyers should verify

Health Canada advises consumers to:

• Only buy prescription drugs from a licensed pharmacy.
• Verify the eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the label and search Health Canada's Drug Product Database.
• Report suspected counterfeit or unauthorized products to Health Canada.

Canadians monitoring the generic rollout can track authorized filings through our generic semaglutide tracker, check plan reimbursement using our insurance coverage checker, or review common questions in our FAQ.

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

Sources

• GLP-1 drugs are driving higher sales for Eli Lilly and Novo ...
• Mounjaro® (tirzepatide injection) | Official Canadian website
• Thinking about buying GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic or Mounjaro ...