Toronto, Canada – April 1, 2025 – Duty Free Meds, a trusted Canadian provider of prescription medications for U.S. patients, is happy to note that affordable generic versions of Ozempic (semaglutide) could become available in Canada as early as 2026. (Bloomberg) This development follows Health Canada’s acceptance of submissions from multiple pharmaceutical companies, including Swiss-based Sandoz and Canadian manufacturer Apotex. (The Globe and Mail)
With Ozempic and its weight-loss counterpart, Wegovy, becoming a cultural and medical phenomenon, their high costs have made access challenging for many patients. Currently, a four-week supply of Ozempic in Canada is priced at approximately $218, but with the arrival of generic alternatives, prices could drop to as low as $76 per month—an estimated 65% reduction.
“If the price comes down from, I don’t know, a few hundred or a thousand dollars a month to a few tens of dollars a month, the patient population’s size is insane,” Mr. Saynor, CEO of Sandoz, told Bloomberg recently.
“We are committed to helping our American customers access high-quality, cost-effective treatments,” said spokesperson Henk Popeil for Duty Free Meds. “The introduction of generic semaglutide in Canada will be a game-changer for those managing type 2 diabetes and seeking weight-loss solutions. Our goal is to make these groundbreaking treatments accessible and affordable without compromising on quality.”
Canada is the second-largest market for semaglutide, with nearly one in three adults reporting obesity as of 2022. As demand continues to grow, Sandoz and Apotex are leading the charge to provide reliable, safe, and effective generic options. Once these generics receive final approval, Duty Free Meds will be ready to fulfil online orders for U.S. patients looking for a cost-effective alternative to the expensive brand-name drugs available in their home country.
With Health Canada expected to finalize approvals in the coming months, Duty Free Meds will inform its customers about availability, pricing, and ordering procedures. Patients are encouraged to regularly check for updates at Duty Free Meds to stay ahead of this groundbreaking shift in diabetes and weight-loss medication access.
