Doustdar Calls Wegovy Pill a 'Must-Win' as Canada Generics Land

Novo Nordisk chief executive Mike Doustdar has framed the company's newly approved oral version of Wegovy as central to a "must-win battle" in 2026, according to Sydbank analyst Søren Løntoft Hansen, as generic semaglutide from Dr. Reddy's and Apotex reaches Canadian pharmacy shelves.

The oral Wegovy approval

Novo Nordisk announced in late December 2025 that its oral Wegovy had been approved in the United States, making it the first oral GLP-1 authorized for weight management, sending shares up nearly 10%. Trial data showed patients on the pill lost an average of 16.6% of body weight over 64 weeks.

Eli Lilly's competing oral candidate orforglipron averaged 12.4% over 72 weeks and is expected to face a U.S. Food and Drug Administration decision by no later than the second quarter of 2026.

Doustdar's efficacy pitch

In a November interview with CNBC, Doustdar argued the oral formulation would not force the traditional trade-off between pill convenience and injection efficacy, saying the oral Wegovy version would carry the same efficacy as its injectable counterpart.

Novo has also filed with the FDA for a higher 7.2 mg dose of the injectable Wegovy, with trials showing an average 20.7% body weight reduction -- roughly matching Lilly's Zepbound.

Canadian backdrop: generics on shelves

The strategic pressure is amplified by developments in Canada. Health Canada approved generic semaglutide injection from Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Apotex in recent weeks, with seven additional applications still under review. The Dr. Reddy's product became available in Canada on 15 May, while the Apotex version began shipping on the same date Novo Nordisk announced its savings card program.

Canada became only the second country in the world to approve a generic form of the injectable, a milestone made possible after Novo Nordisk did not pay a C$250 annual patent-listing fee.

Apotex has stated its generic semaglutide will be approximately one-third the price of brand-name Ozempic, while Dr. Reddy's has described its pricing only as "competitive".

Novo's Canadian counter-move

In response, Novo Nordisk Canada said eligible Canadians without public or private coverage could purchase brand-name Ozempic at a reduced price starting the Friday following its announcement, "aligning their medication costs with generic alternatives". Iain Graham, general manager at Novo Nordisk Canada, said the company was dedicated to ensuring eligible patients who choose Ozempic can stay on the brand.

The Novo Nordisk Savings Card can be used at local pharmacies across Canada excluding Quebec, and is applied automatically at Novo Nordisk Care Rx operated by Rexall. Global News reported brand pricing has run in some cases above $450 per month depending on dosage; current pharmacy prices tracked on GLP1Prices.ca for Ozempic range from $86.40 to $663.00 CAD across 82 samples.

Wider 2026 pressures

Sydbank's Hansen told CNBC that "the marketable development for Wegovy and Ozempic is a must-win battle for [CEO] Mike Doustdar and the new board". Novo's 2025 share performance was its worst calendar year since it began trading on the Copenhagen exchange over three decades ago.

In November, the Trump administration reached a deal with Novo and Lilly to lower prices of their GLP-1 medicines under Medicare and Medicaid, with direct-to-consumer offerings via TrumpRx.gov set to launch in January 2026. Morningstar analyst Karen Andersen noted the TrumpRx deal would help Novo become more competitive with compounders on price, though a faster orforglipron launch could blunt its momentum in the direct-to-patient channel.

Canadians tracking availability can consult the generic semaglutide tracker, review insurance coverage details, or visit our FAQ for background on brands including Mounjaro.

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

Sources

• Novo Nordisk faces 'must-win' battle over U.S. Wegovy ...
• Ozempic generic approved in Canada after Novo Nordisk ...
• Novo Nordisk will slash Ozempic price for some, 'aligning' ...