In a significant shift for healthcare accessibility, the blockbuster drug semaglutide, widely known under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, is now available in generic form in Canada. This development follows the unexpected lapse of its patent protection, a move that promises to drastically reduce costs for consumers and reshape the landscape of obesity and diabetes treatment.
A Deliberate Decision with Major Implications
The standard drug patent length in Canada is 20 years, though the effective market exclusivity period is often shorter due to regulatory approval processes. For reasons the company calls deliberate, Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk opted not to pay a $450 maintenance fee to uphold its patent for semaglutide in Canada. Despite a reminder and a grace period from regulators, the fee went unpaid, and patent protection officially lapsed on January 4, 2026.
Novo Nordisk has publicly stated this was a strategic choice, not an administrative error. The company had even requested a refund for a previous fee in 2017, signaling uncertainty about maintaining the patent. While the patent was not eternal and semaglutide faces growing competition from newer drugs like tirzepatide, forgoing a small fee to lose a lucrative monopoly remains a puzzling financial decision.
From $200 to $70: A New Era of Affordability
The immediate consequence of this patent lapse is that Canadian generic drug manufacturers can now legally produce and sell their own versions of semaglutide. This competition is expected to drive prices down substantially. Where a dose might have cost a consumer approximately $200, generic competition could see that price fall to around $70.
This price reduction has profound public health implications. A medication once prohibitively expensive for many, especially those without comprehensive insurance, could become accessible to a much broader population. The increased affordability has the potential to significantly impact treatment rates for type 2 diabetes and obesity across the country.
Connecting Access to a Declining Obesity Rate
The timing of this increased access is notable against recent public health trends. Obesity is a global challenge, with rates having doubled worldwide since 1990. However, data shows an unexpected reversal beginning in 2022. From 2022 to 2025, obesity rates in the United States decreased by 37%, equating to 7.6 million fewer obese adults.
While multiple factors are at play, the coincidental arrival and growing use of GLP-1 agonist medications like Ozempic and Wegovy strongly suggest these drugs are already making a major impact on population health. The Canadian generic entry could accelerate this positive trend domestically by removing cost as a primary barrier.
It is important to note that this patent change is currently unique to Canada. Patent protections for semaglutide remain in effect in the United States and most other countries, meaning the price drop and generic availability are, for now, a distinctly Canadian advantage. This situation places Canada at the forefront of a new, more affordable chapter in managing chronic weight-related health conditions.
