TrumpRx US GLP-1 Deal Sets $245 Floor as Canada Awaits Generics

A new U.S. pricing arrangement unveiled by the Trump administration will phase GLP-1 prices on the TrumpRx platform from an average of about US$350 down to US$245 over the next two years, but Canadian pharmacy prices are already lower and are expected to fall further as generic semaglutide enters the market.

What the U.S. deal actually does

Under the arrangement with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, Medicare coverage of Zepbound and Wegovy will expand starting next year for qualifying patients, who will face a US$50 copay. For cash-pay U.S. consumers, the TrumpRx direct-to-consumer channel launches in January with average prices starting near US$350 and dropping to US$245 over two years. Previously, U.S. list prices could exceed US$500 per month for higher doses.

Why Canada is on a different track

Dr. Nisha Gupta, an endocrinologist and postdoctoral fellow at McGill University, told CBC News that with exchange rates factored in, Canadian prices for GLP-1 medications are already “significantly less” than what the TrumpRx program is targeting. CBC reported Canadians currently pay anywhere from $300 to $500 per month for GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide brands such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

Current pharmacy prices tracked on GLP1Prices.ca show Ozempic ranging from $83 to $663 CAD and Wegovy from $270 to $550 CAD, with Mounjaro at $245 to $800 CAD and Zepbound at $276 to $609 CAD across major pharmacies. Mina Tadrous, an associate professor at the University of Toronto who evaluates pharmaceutical prices, estimated generic entry could bring the price of some semaglutide products down to under $100 from $400.

Manufacturer strategy in Canada

On Novo Nordisk's most recent earnings call, Emil Kongshøj Larsen, executive vice-president of internal operations, said generic players have started to capture market share in Canada but that Novo Nordisk has “so far been able to grow our absolute volumes”. “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,” Larsen said.

Eli Lilly reported Mounjaro sales rose 91 per cent in the second quarter to US$9.94 billion, with Zepbound sales at US$4.93 billion; together the two products accounted for 64.7 per cent of Eli Lilly’s quarterly revenue. Patrik Jonsson, president of Lilly International, said the company was “pleasantly surprised” by Canadian performance and flagged that “the generic companies actually having significant supply constraints” is something to monitor.

Counterfeit warning still active

As cross-border price attention grows, Health Canada continues to warn against unauthorized and counterfeit GLP-1 products, including copies marketed as Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. The advisory, identified as RA-81518 and last updated 2026-01-21, notes Health Canada is working with the Canada Border Services Agency to stop unauthorized shipments from entering the country and urges consumers to verify the eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on any product label.

What it means for Canadian buyers

• No direct TrumpRx access: The program is a U.S. Medicare and cash-pay initiative; Canadian consumers cannot legally purchase prescription medications from a U.S. direct-to-consumer platform.
• Domestic prices already competitive: Canadian pharmacy list prices for Ozempic and Wegovy fall below the US$350 starting point on TrumpRx once currency is considered.
• Generic timing matters more: Tadrous’s estimate of sub-$100 pricing hinges on generic semaglutide availability rather than any U.S. deal.

Canadians comparing options can review current pharmacy pricing on our generic semaglutide tracker, check plan reimbursement using the insurance coverage checker, or review common questions in our FAQ.

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

Sources

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• GLP-1 drugs are driving higher sales for Eli Lilly and Novo ...
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