Health Canada Reviews Generic Obesity Medications for Canada

Health Canada is reviewing nine submissions for generic versions of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, which could reduce costs for patients. This follows the expiration of Novo Nordisk’s patent in Canada, allowing for potential availability of cheaper versions as early as January 4, although experts suggest it may take longer. Semaglutide mimics a gut hormone to aid in weight loss and control blood sugar, with possible side effects like nausea and diarrhea. Evaluations for generics are complex, as they need to demonstrate pharmaceutical equivalence while ensuring safety and efficacy compared to the original drug.