Pharmacy Expert Projects $100/Month Generic Semaglutide in Canada

Mina Tadrous, associate professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto, estimates that once enough generic semaglutide products come online in Canada, monthly prices could fall to around $100 or less, depending on dosage [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339].

Nine generic applications under Health Canada review

Health Canada has confirmed that nine generic semaglutide medications are currently under review for approval in Canada, with the agency stating it is on track to meet its 180-day initial review target for those submissions [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. Tadrous estimates that generics might become available in Canada by summer or early fall [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339].

GLP1Prices.ca's generic tracker lists seven generic semaglutide submissions from five companies under Health Canada review as of January 2026 — Sandoz Canada, Apotex (three separate submissions), Taro Pharmaceuticals, Aspen Pharmacare, and Teva Canada — with the earliest Health Canada decisions expected in Q3 2026 [Source: glp1prices.ca/]. PharmaTher announced on February 2, 2026 a strategic initiative to pursue Health Canada approval for generic semaglutide covering doses from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg [Source: glp1prices.ca/]. Patients awaiting updates can follow our generic semaglutide tracker.

Current branded prices

Dr. David Macklin, director of the Medcan Weight Management Program in Toronto, said a monthly supply of Ozempic or Wegovy costs between $300 and $400, and sometimes more depending on the dose [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. Current listings on GLP1Prices.ca show Ozempic 1 mg four-week supply ranging from $248 at Shoppers Drug Mart to $419.50 at NationPharmacy in Ontario as of verification one day prior to publication [Source: glp1prices.ca/].

Macklin said the topic of generics now comes up daily in his practice, with patients asking when their medications may become less expensive [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. He disclosed that he receives honoraria and consulting fees and serves on national advisory boards for Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339].

Patent expiry already reshaping global market

Novo Nordisk's semaglutide patent expired in Canada in January, followed by India last week, according to the CBC report [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. One Indian company was offering generics for as little as $19 CAD 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].

Tadrous noted that while India is a major supplier of pharmaceuticals and ingredients to Canada and often receives generics first, all such drugs still must go through Health Canada's approval process before being sold domestically, so Indian approvals are unlikely to have short-term Canadian impact [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339].

Manufacturing economics

A study published March 8, 2026 by researchers in Britain, South Africa and New Zealand estimated that a month's supply of semaglutide could cost as little as $3 to produce once off patent [Source: canadianaffairs.news/2026/03/08/anti-obesity-treatment-could-cost-as-little-as-3-per-month-study/]. Study co-author Dr. Samuel Cross of Imperial College London said that if generic production reduces prices to sustainable levels, millions more people could access treatment [Source: canadianaffairs.news/2026/03/08/anti-obesity-treatment-could-cost-as-little-as-3-per-month-study/]. The researchers published their work directly rather than in a peer-reviewed journal [Source: canadianaffairs.news/2026/03/08/anti-obesity-treatment-could-cost-as-little-as-3-per-month-study/].

Access concerns

Dr. Nav Persaud, Canada Research Chair in Health Justice and a staff physician at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, said cost is a major issue for his patients, and that even those with insurance can struggle with co-payments [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339]. Persaud said patients without coverage almost always have to reduce their dose or stop taking the medication entirely [Source: cbc.ca/news/health/generic-ozempic-canada-waiting-9.7142339].

Patients tracking the landscape for branded tirzepatide products such as Zepbound, or oral semaglutide options such as Rybelsus, can also review our insurance coverage checker and FAQ for province-specific details.

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