Sandoz Eyes End-of-June Canadian Launch for Unbranded Semaglutide

Swiss generic drugmaker Sandoz has told Reuters that unbranded versions of Ozempic should launch in Canada by the end of June, as generic semaglutide rolls out across multiple global markets following the January 2026 Canadian patent expiry [Source: nationalpost.com/news/canada/generic-versions-of-weight-loss-drugs-should-arrive-on-canadian-pharmacy-shelves-this-summer].

Sandoz targets June, joins crowded applicant field

Sandoz is hoping to be one of the first entrants in the Canadian market after the expiration of Novo Nordisk's semaglutide patent, with the regulatory process underway for the company alongside Apotex, Teva Canada, Taro Pharmaceuticals and Aspen Pharmacare Canada [Source: nationalpost.com/news/canada/generic-versions-of-weight-loss-drugs-should-arrive-on-canadian-pharmacy-shelves-this-summer]. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's injectable drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as the oral tablet Rybelsus [Source: nationalpost.com/news/canada/generic-versions-of-weight-loss-drugs-should-arrive-on-canadian-pharmacy-shelves-this-summer].

Nine applications under Health Canada review

Health Canada says it is reviewing nine submissions for generic versions of semaglutide [Source: nationalpost.com/news/canada/generic-versions-of-weight-loss-drugs-should-arrive-on-canadian-pharmacy-shelves-this-summer]. The agency's target timeline for initial review of a generic drug is 180 days, and it says it is on track to meet review targets for generic semaglutide submissions [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. Some of the pending applications were filed as early as February 2024, with Apotex alone filing three applications in January, April and November of 2025 [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions].

Mina Tadrous, associate professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto, estimates generics might be available by this summer or early fall [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. Health Canada spokesperson Marie-Pier Burelle wrote on March 25 that reviews may take longer if data is missing or additional data are required, and that the clock pauses while the agency awaits additional information from the manufacturer [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions].

Canada part of a multi-country global rollout

Novo Nordisk's Canadian patent expired in January 2026, and generic semaglutide became legal in India on March 23, 2026 [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions]. Novo Nordisk is on the verge of losing patent protection in countries that are home to 40 percent of the world's population, with generics also expected to become available in the coming months in China, Canada, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa [Source: nytimes.com/2026/03/19/health/ozempic-wegovy-generic-india-china-canada.html].

In the United States and Europe, the drug is not expected to go generic until the early 2030s due to special regulatory protections [Source: nytimes.com/2026/03/19/health/ozempic-wegovy-generic-india-china-canada.html]. The main U.S. patent on Ozempic expires in 2032 [Source: theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions].

Pricing context

According to reporting citing Dr. David Macklin of the Medcan Weight Management Program in Toronto, a monthly supply of Ozempic or Wegovy costs between $300 and $400, sometimes more depending on the dose [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. National Post separately reported patients in Canada have been paying between $300 and $400 a month, depending on the prescribed dose [Source: nationalpost.com/news/canada/generic-versions-of-weight-loss-drugs-should-arrive-on-canadian-pharmacy-shelves-this-summer]. Current pharmacy prices tracked on GLP1Prices.ca show a wider range, with Ozempic listed from $222 to $663 and Wegovy from $270 to $599.

Tadrous told CBC that once enough generics come online, prices could reach around $100 a month or less depending on the dosage [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. In India, one company was offering generics for as little as C$19 a month, and analysts expect around 50 generics could enter the Indian market within months [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339].

Brand market keeps moving

Tirzepatide products Mounjaro and Zepbound from Eli Lilly remain under patent in Canada. Readers tracking approvals can follow our generic semaglutide tracker, check plan details with the insurance coverage checker, or review the FAQ.

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