Health Canada is currently assessing nine submissions for generic versions of well-known weight loss medications, a move that experts in the pharmaceutical industry believe could lead to reduced prices. These submissions are for generic variations of semaglutide, the active component in Novo Nordisk’s prescription drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, approved by Health Canada for treating diabetes and weight loss, respectively.
Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies, which imitate a natural gut hormone to regulate blood sugar levels, slow down digestion, and enhance the sensation of fullness. Common side effects of semaglutide may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fatigue, constipation, and headaches.
Canada stands out as the sole country where Novo Nordisk allowed the patent for its semaglutide drugs to lapse, triggering the potential end of “regulatory exclusivity” on Jan. 4. Consequently, Canada may become the first nation to offer more cost-effective versions of Ozempic and Wegovy to patients with prescriptions, although experts suggest immediate availability is unlikely.
Health Canada has accepted applications for generic semaglutide drugs from various companies, such as Sandoz Canada, Apotex, Teva Canada, Taro Pharmaceuticals, and Aspen Pharmacare Canada. These companies aim to produce pharmaceutically equivalent products to the branded drugs, meeting Health Canada’s stringent safety, quality, and effectiveness standards.
The pricing of generic semaglutide depends on several factors, including the availability of branded formulations, the number of generic alternatives in the market, the drug’s form (oral or injectable), and the dosage regimen. Despite the complexities of evaluating generic semaglutide drugs, experts anticipate that cheaper alternatives may not be promptly accessible, with potential approval more likely in the summer rather than early in the year.
