Quick Verdict

Generic semaglutide is available in Canadian pharmacies as of May 2026. Apotex (Apo-Semaglutide) and Dr. Reddy's generics are now selling at roughly $88/month at Costco, $95–$120 at chain pharmacies, and $149/month at telehealth (Felix, Hims). Brand Ozempic remains $250–$310/month.

Generic semaglutide is available in Canadian pharmacies as of May 2026, and Canada is the first G7 country to approve a generic version of semaglutide. [1][2] If you take Ozempic or are about to start, you now have a much cheaper option than the brand.

Below is everything Canadians need to know about generic semaglutide right now: where to buy it, what it costs by pharmacy, how it compares to brand-name Ozempic, and what's still ahead for generic Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Quick Verdict

Generic semaglutide is now available in Canadian pharmacies (since May 20, 2026). Two manufacturers, Apotex (Apo-Semaglutide Injection) and Dr. Reddy's, sell the generic equivalent of Ozempic at roughly one-third the wholesale price of the brand. At retail, Costco Pharmacy is leading at ~$88/month; chain pharmacies (Shoppers, Rexall, Walmart, London Drugs) range from $95 to $120/month; telehealth providers Felix and Hims both list $149/month. Brand-name Ozempic remains around $250–$310/month.

What Is Generic Ozempic?

Generic Ozempic contains the same active ingredient as brand-name Ozempic: semaglutide. It works the same way by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite.

The key differences are:

Manufacturer: A different company makes it instead of Novo Nordisk.

Price: Generics are much cheaper now that two competitors have entered the market.

Health Canada requires every generic drug to demonstrate bioequivalence to the brand-name product. That means the generic must deliver the same amount of semaglutide into your bloodstream, at the same rate, as Ozempic.

Your doctor or pharmacist can switch your prescription to the generic at any pharmacy that carries Apo-Semaglutide or Dr. Reddy's product.

Why Canada Gets Generic Semaglutide Before the US

Two key events opened the door for Canadian generics:

1. Data exclusivity expired on January 4, 2026. Health Canada grants brand-name drugs eight years of data exclusivity. After that, generic manufacturers can reference the original clinical trial data in their own applications.

2. Novo Nordisk let a key patent lapse. Patent CA 2,890,222 covered semaglutide in Canada. Novo Nordisk did not pay the required maintenance fee, and the patent lapsed. [12] Without that patent protection, generic companies face no barrier to making semaglutide in Canada.

In the United States, Novo Nordisk still holds patents that extend into the early 2030s, so American patients will likely wait years longer for affordable generics.

India already sells generic semaglutide for roughly $19 CAD per month, but Canadian prices are higher due to regulatory, manufacturing and distribution costs. Even so, the savings versus brand-name Ozempic in Canada are large: a brand pen runs $250 to $310 a month versus about $88 at Costco.

Which Companies Are Making Generic Semaglutide in Canada?

As of May 2026, two manufacturers have launched generic semaglutide in Canada: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (Health Canada approval April 28, 2026) and Apotex (approval May 1, 2026; product name Apo-Semaglutide Injection). Health Canada continues to review additional applications from other generic manufacturers.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories

Dr. Reddy's is a global generics manufacturer headquartered in India. Their semaglutide injection was the first generic version approved in Canada (April 28, 2026), making Canada the first G7 country to clear a generic equivalent of Ozempic. Pharmacy inventory began arriving in mid-May 2026.

Apotex

Apotex is Canada's largest generic pharmaceutical company, with manufacturing facilities in Toronto. Health Canada approved Apotex's Apo-Semaglutide Injection on May 1, 2026, making it the first Canadian-made generic equivalent of Ozempic. [2][3] Apotex began shipping to Canadian pharmacies on May 20, 2026, with Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, Costco Pharmacy and Walmart receiving the first inventory. [5][6] Apotex publishes a wholesale price of $78.14 per four-week supply, roughly one-third the $240.48 wholesale price of brand-name Ozempic. [4]

Other Applicants Under Review

Several additional generic manufacturers have submissions under Health Canada review, including Sandoz, Teva Canada, Taro Pharmaceuticals, Aspen Pharmacare, and Vimy Pharma (an Edmonton-based company co-founded by former Novo Nordisk Canada executives). Once a third manufacturer is approved, the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) generic pricing formula drops the maximum public-plan price further (toward roughly $80 per four-week supply).

Where to Buy Generic Semaglutide in Canada

You have two practical routes to fill a generic semaglutide prescription in Canada right now. The first is your local pharmacy chain or Costco, where most patients pay cash. The second is one of Canada's two big telehealth platforms, which bundle the prescription, doctor visit and shipping into a single monthly fee. Cash prices vary across pharmacies because each chain sets its own dispensing fee and markup on top of the same wholesale cost.

In-Person Pharmacies

Major Canadian chains started stocking Apo-Semaglutide and Dr. Reddy's generic in mid-May 2026: Costco Pharmacy, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, Walmart Pharmacy, Loblaws/No Frills and London Drugs. [5][6]

Costco runs cheapest by a clear margin. Receipts shared on the r/Ozempic subreddit confirm pickups at $88.88 in the Greater Toronto Area, $88 elsewhere in Ontario, $99 in Laval and $91 in Medicine Hat. [9] Walmart and No Frills typically land between $95 and $110 per month. Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall and London Drugs sit in the $100 to $120 range, with a Halifax Shoppers customer reporting $113 for a 0.25 mg starter pen. [9]

Call your local pharmacy before you walk in. Stock was still rolling out as of late May, particularly across Atlantic Canada and the smaller western markets.

Telehealth Providers

Canada's two big telehealth platforms, Felix Health and Hims Canada (sold under the Hers.ca brand), both dispense Apo-Semaglutide for $149 per month, all-in. [7][8] That figure covers the medication, the asynchronous online doctor visit, and shipping to your door.

Felix lists the pricing on its public page: $149 covers any single pen up to 1 mg, the 1.5 mg dose runs $298 across two pens, and the 2 mg pack is $286. [8] Hims rolled the same Apotex generic out on May 21, 2026, a few weeks after the pharmacy launch. [7]

Going the telehealth route makes sense if you do not have a family doctor or you want to skip the clinic visit. The trade-off is straightforward: you pay roughly $50 to $60 more per month than you would at Costco Pharmacy for the same Apo-Semaglutide pen.

Provincial Drug-Plan Coverage

Provincial drug plans were still updating their formulary listings as of late May 2026. Most provinces finish their generic-listing review within a month of Health Canada approval, so expect public-plan listings to land in June.

Under the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) framework, public-plan reimbursement for generic semaglutide caps at roughly $114 per four-week supply while two manufacturers are approved. [10] Once a third manufacturer launches (Sandoz has flagged June 2026), that cap drops to roughly $80.

Generic Semaglutide Pricing by Pharmacy

Confirmed and reported Canadian cash retail prices for generic semaglutide (one-month supply, brand-equivalent Ozempic doses) as of late May 2026:

| Pharmacy / Provider | Monthly Cash Price (CAD) | Notes |

|---|---|---|

| **Costco Pharmacy** | $88–$99 | Lowest reliable price; confirmed pickups in Ontario ($88), GTA ($88.88), Medicine Hat ($91), Laval ($99). No membership required for pharmacy services. |

| Walmart / No Frills | $95–$110 | Verified consumer reports across multiple provinces. |

| Shoppers Drug Mart | $100–$120 | Halifax customer reported $113 for 0.25 mg. |

| Rexall | $100–$120 | Similar markup to Shoppers. |

| London Drugs | $100–$120 | Western Canada chain; comparable to Shoppers. |

| Felix Health (telehealth) | $149 | All-in: consult + prescription + dispensing. |

| Hims Canada (Hers.ca) | $149 | All-in pricing; launched May 2026 per Reuters. |

Wholesale pricing context: Apotex publishes a wholesale price of $78.14 for a four-week supply, compared with $240.48 wholesale for brand-name Ozempic. [4] Each chain's dispensing fee and markup explain the difference between wholesale and the retail prices above.

Public-plan pricing follows the pCPA generic formula: maximum $114 per four-week supply while two generics are approved, dropping to roughly $80 once a third generic is approved. Canadian consumers have shared receipts on r/Ozempic confirming Costco's $88 to $99 range across Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. [9]

Generic Semaglutide at In-Person Canadian Pharmacies

Cash retail prices for generic semaglutide at Canadian pharmacies are now coming in below the telehealth alternatives, based on early Canadian consumer reports. [9] Costco Pharmacy is the lowest reliable option at roughly $88 to $99 per month. Walmart and Loblaws No Frills typically run around $95 to $110. Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall and London Drugs sit at roughly $100 to $120 per month. Apotex's Apo-Semaglutide Injection began shipping to Canadian pharmacies on May 20, 2026, with Dr. Reddy's generic also launching in May 2026. [1][2][3]

In-person pharmacies run roughly $50 to $60 a month cheaper than the telehealth route, with Costco the clearest winner on price. Felix Health and Hims Canada both charge $149 per month for the same Apo-Semaglutide pen. [7][8] If you already have a valid Canadian prescription, the cheapest move is to walk it into a Costco or a local chain pharmacy.

Pricing context: Apotex's published wholesale price is $78.14 for a four-week supply, roughly one-third of brand-name Ozempic's $240.48 wholesale price. [4] Retail prices reflect that wholesale plus each chain's dispensing fee and markup, with national launch coverage describing which chains received initial inventory. [5][6] Under the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance framework, the maximum public drug plan price caps at roughly $114 per four-week supply while two manufacturers are approved, dropping to roughly $80 once a third launches.

Will Generic Semaglutide Work as Well as Ozempic?

Yes. Health Canada has confirmed bioequivalence for both approved products: Dr. Reddy's generic semaglutide and Apotex's Apo-Semaglutide Injection are clinically equivalent to brand-name Ozempic. [1][2] Health Canada's bioequivalence standard requires the generic to deliver the same amount of active ingredient into the bloodstream at the same rate as the brand. [11] That produces the same blood-sugar control and weight-management effects.

Both products use the same molecule (semaglutide), the same dose strengths (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.0 mg) and the same pre-filled pen device. Side-effect profiles match brand Ozempic. [11]

Switching from Brand Ozempic to Generic Semaglutide

If you already have a prescription for Ozempic, switching to the generic is usually straightforward. Ask your pharmacist whether they can substitute Apo-Semaglutide (or Dr. Reddy's generic) for your brand-name Ozempic. Most Canadian provinces let pharmacists perform generic substitution automatically when a prescription is written for "semaglutide" or when a Health Canada-approved generic equivalent exists, so your prescriber does not need to write a new prescription. [11]

If your prescription is written specifically for "Ozempic," ask your pharmacist or prescriber to update it to "Apo-Semaglutide" or "semaglutide injection." Some private insurance plans automatically substitute generics on the claim side; others may require a quick form or call to confirm coverage.

If your insurance pushes back on the substitution, ask whether they cover the generic at the same rate. Most plans now require generic-first billing for new prescriptions, and the gap between brand and generic Apo-Semaglutide is wide enough that out-of-pocket cost often comes in lower even on partial coverage. If you are paying cash, Costco Pharmacy is the cheapest reliable retail path. [9] Felix Health or Hims Canada is the simplest if you would rather skip the clinic visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is generic semaglutide available in Canada right now?

Yes. Apotex's Apo-Semaglutide Injection and Dr. Reddy's generic launched in Canadian pharmacies in May 2026. Health Canada approved Dr. Reddy's on April 28, 2026 and Apotex on May 1, 2026.

How much does generic semaglutide cost?

Cash retail prices range from about $88 per month at Costco Pharmacy to $100–$120 per month at chain pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall. Telehealth providers Felix Health and Hims Canada both list $149 per month all-in.

Is generic semaglutide the same as Ozempic?

Yes. Apotex's Apo-Semaglutide Injection and Dr. Reddy's generic are Health Canada-approved as bioequivalent to brand-name Ozempic (Novo Nordisk). Same active ingredient (semaglutide), same dose strengths, same pen device design. Health Canada's bioequivalence standard requires the generic to release the same amount of active ingredient into the bloodstream at the same rate as the brand.

Where can I buy generic semaglutide?

Major Canadian pharmacy chains receiving inventory include Costco Pharmacy, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, Walmart Pharmacy, Loblaws/No Frills, and London Drugs. Telehealth platforms Felix Health and Hims Canada also dispense it.

Is generic semaglutide covered by provincial drug plans?

Provincial formulary listings are still being updated as of May 2026, and most provinces review generic listings in June. Under the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) framework, the maximum public-plan price is approximately $114 per four-week supply with two manufacturers approved, dropping to roughly $80 once a third manufacturer is approved.

Can I switch from brand-name Ozempic to generic semaglutide?

In most cases, yes. Ask your pharmacist whether they can substitute generic Apo-Semaglutide for your brand-name Ozempic prescription. Your prescriber does not need to write a new prescription if the original was for "semaglutide" generically. Some private insurance plans automatically substitute generics; others may require a quick form.

Is generic Wegovy or generic Mounjaro also available?

Not yet. The May 2026 launch covers the Ozempic indication only (Apotex and Dr. Reddy's are equivalents to Ozempic, not Wegovy or Mounjaro). Generic Wegovy is gated by Novo Nordisk's additional patents on the 2.4 mg formulation and chronic-weight-management indication. Generic Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is even further off, as Eli Lilly's patents extend into the mid-2030s.

What about safety: is generic semaglutide as safe as brand-name Ozempic?

Yes. Health Canada requires generics to meet the same safety, efficacy, purity, and bioequivalence standards as the brand. Apotex's Apo-Semaglutide Injection is manufactured at the company's Canadian facilities; both products are licensed under Health Canada Drug Identification Numbers (DINs). Side-effect profiles are equivalent to brand Ozempic.