Why Canada has generic Ozempic, and the US doesn't

Article excerpt

Canada has become the first Group of Seven nation to approve and distribute generic versions of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, launching in pharmacies this month at a fraction of the brand-name drug's cost. The U.S., despite having the same FDA-approved medication, has not yet authorized a generic alternative, leaving American patients paying dramatically more for the same treatment. The regulatory divergence reflects different patent strategies and approval timelines between Health Canada and the FDA, with Canada's move potentially reshaping access to weight-loss medications across North America.