Health Canada has approved another generic version of Ozempic (semaglutide). Sandoz announced on 18 September 2026 that Sandoz Semaglutide was approved for adults with type 2 diabetes. It joins generics from Dr. Reddy's and Apotex, making Canada the G7 country with the most generic semaglutide approvals. Health Canada says generic medicines there are often 45 to 90% cheaper than the brand.
What happened
Sandoz Semaglutide is a once-weekly injection in pre-filled pens. One pen delivers 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg doses and holds 2 mg of semaglutide. A second delivers 1 mg doses and holds 4 mg. It is approved for blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet, exercise and other diabetes medicines. Sandoz said it is preparing for commercialisation, with no launch date or price yet.
Canada's generic semaglutide approvals so far:
| Date | Company | Version of | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 April 2026 | Dr. Reddy's | Ozempic | Type 2 diabetes |
| 1 May 2026 | Apotex (Apo-Semaglutide) | Ozempic | Type 2 diabetes |
| End of June 2026 | Apotex (Sevmia) | Wegovy | Weight management |
| 18 September 2026 | Sandoz | Ozempic | Type 2 diabetes |
When it approved the Apotex product on 1 May, Health Canada said Canada was the first G7 country to approve a generic semaglutide, and that it was reviewing seven more submissions from other companies.
Where the US, UK and India stand
- India. Generic semaglutide went on sale on 21 March 2026, the day after the patent ended there. At least six Indian companies launched on the first day, including Dr. Reddy's, Sun Pharma and Glenmark.
- United States. On 10 April 2026 Apotex received the first FDA tentative approval for a generic semaglutide injection. Tentative means the FDA found it approvable, but it cannot be sold until patent issues are settled. Novo Nordisk has brought patent cases against several generic makers, consolidated in June 2026.
- United Kingdom. As of October 2026 there is no generic semaglutide on the UK market.
What it does not tell us
- The price. Neither Sandoz nor Health Canada gave one. The 45 to 90% figure is Health Canada's general statement about generics, not a quote for semaglutide.
- Weight-loss access. Sandoz's approval is for diabetes. Only one generic, Apotex's Sevmia, is approved in Canada for weight management so far.
- Coverage. Whether provincial and private plans list the generics, and on what terms, is not in the announcement.
What it means for you
If you are in Canada and pay for Ozempic, ask your pharmacist whether a generic is stocked and whether your plan covers it. A generic contains the same active ingredient, but a new pen can look and click differently, so ask for a demonstration before your first dose. Any change of product should go through your prescriber.
If you are in the US or UK, nothing changes yet. A generic approved by a regulator is not the same as compounded semaglutide, which we explain in what compounded GLP-1s are. Cheaper, regulated semaglutide is coming country by country, and staying on treatment is easier when it is affordable, as staying on a GLP-1 explains.
What to do with this
Brand or generic, semaglutide works the same way on appetite, so the food plan does not change. Our guide to what to eat on Ozempic still applies.