Overview
- Novo Nordisk and Rexall launched the Novo Nordisk Care Rx program through Rexall Direct, delivering Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus to homes across Canada except Quebec at no extra cost with phone support from pharmacists.
- Health Canada cleared two generic semaglutide products, from Dr. Reddy’s in April and Apotex in early May, making Canada the first G7 country to authorize generics with more applications under review.
- Canadian prices now run about $200 to $450 a month for Ozempic and roughly $5,066 a year for Wegovy, and the regulator says generics often lower brand costs by 45% to 90%.
- Experts say approved generics are unlikely in the United States until at least late 2031 because patent extensions and dozens of follow‑on patents could delay competition to 2042.
- High U.S. prices have driven demand for compounded semaglutide, which is not FDA approved, and the agency is moving to curb output from compounding pharmacies.