Toronto / Ottawa – January 7, 2026
Novo Nordisk Canada is considering introducing renamed, lower-priced versions of its blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy in an effort to compete with generic versions of semaglutide expected to enter the Canadian market.
According to The Canadian Press, Health Canada approved Novo Nordisk’s submissions for two new products — Plosbrio and Poviztra — on December 22, 2025. The medications are identical to Ozempic and Wegovy, respectively, differing only in name and packaging.
Health Canada spokesperson Mark Johnson confirmed that there are no changes to formulation or how the drugs work, noting that Plosbrio and Poviztra contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide.
The move comes as Canada’s regulatory landscape opens the door to generic competition. Following the expiry of Novo Nordisk’s regulatory exclusivity on January 4, 2026, Health Canada is now reviewing nine submissions from other pharmaceutical companies seeking approval to market generic semaglutide.
However, experts caution that generics may not reach pharmacy shelves immediately. Health Canada says the review process is complex because Novo Nordisk’s products are biologically developed, while generic versions rely on chemical synthesis.
“Generic semaglutide products are complex synthetic products that are pharmaceutically equivalent to the brand-name drug, but with possible differences that could impact safety and efficacy,” Johnson said, adding that manufacturers must demonstrate these differences do not affect quality or patient outcomes.
Because Plosbrio and Poviztra are exact copies of existing Novo Nordisk products, they did not undergo the same rigorous review required for generics.
Companies that have applied for approval to produce generic semaglutide include Sandoz Canada, Apotex, Teva Canada, Taro Pharmaceuticals, and Aspen Pharmacare Canada, with additional submissions filed prior to April 2024.
In a statement, Novo Nordisk Canada spokesperson Kate Hanna said the company is actively evaluating its next steps.
“Novo Nordisk Canada is considering introducing a version of semaglutide to compete with generics once they enter the Canadian market,” she said.
Pharmaceutical policy expert Mina Tadrous of the University of Toronto described the approach as strategic.
“Because of the pricing structure in Canada, they can’t simply lower the price of their brand-name drug. This is a way to bypass that limitation and remain competitive,” he said, adding that the renamed products would allow Novo Nordisk to implement a new pricing strategy.
Pharmacist and health-care consultant Shelita Dattani said while such a move is unusual, it is not unprecedented. From a patient perspective, she noted, any step that increases affordability and access is positive.
“At the end of the day, broader access and better affordability is what matters for patients who need these drugs,” she said.
Ozempic and Wegovy can cost hundreds of dollars per month, though Hanna emphasized that many Canadians do not pay the full price out of pocket.
“Ozempic is covered by the majority of private insurance plans and is included in all government-sponsored drug plans for adults with Type 2 diabetes,” she said.
“While Wegovy is not yet covered by public plans, it has strong private insurance coverage, and we continue to work to expand access for Canadians living with obesity.”
In a December interview, Novo Nordisk Canada president Vince Lamanna said more than one million Canadians currently use the medications and that the company offers financial and savings support for patients without insurance.
As Health Canada continues to evaluate generic applications, Novo Nordisk’s potential introduction of Plosbrio and Poviztra signals a significant shift in how brand-name pharmaceutical companies may respond to growing competition—one that could reshape pricing and access to semaglutide treatments across Canada.