Cheaper obesity medications could come to Canada this summer, as Health Canada reviews generics
CBC
Health Canada says it is reviewing nine submissions for generic versions of popular weight loss medications that pharmaceutical experts say could bring down the price.
The submissions in Canada are for generic forms of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's injectable prescription drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, which have been approved by Health Canada for diabetes and weight loss respectively.
The medications are in a class called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies that mimic a natural gut hormone to help control blood sugar levels, slow digestion and increase feelings of fullness. Common side effects of semaglutide can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. Fatigue, constipation and headaches are also possible.
Canada is the only country where Novo Nordisk allowed the patent for its semaglutide drugs to expire, paving the way for "regulatory exclusivity" to end on Jan. 4. That's why Canada could become the first country to offer a cheaper version of Ozempic and Wegovy to people with prescriptions, but pharmaceutical experts say it is unlikely to happen immediately.
Here’s what we know about the drugs, their approvals and pricing.
On Monday, Novo Nordisk announced that a pill form of Wegovy is now available in the U.S. as a starter dose. Higher doses will be available by the end of the week in the U.S., the company said.
When asked about the availability of a Wegovy pill in Canada, Novo Nordisk directed CBC News to its U.S. media release.
CBC News has also asked Health Canada if it has received an application for a pill form of Wegovy from Novo Nordisk, or a generic version of the medication in pill form. The regulator did not immediately respond.
Novo Nordisk also offers a pill approved by Health Canada to treat Type 2 diabetes that contains semaglutide and is sold under the name Rybelsus.
Generics are pharmaceutically equivalent to brand name drugs, according to Health Canada, which says it examines data provided by companies to ensure that the submission meets its criteria for safety, quality and effectiveness before authorizing any drug, whether it's a brand name or generic version.
Evaluating generic semaglutide drugs is more complex than many other medication approvals, according to Mark Johnson, a Health Canada spokesperson.
That's because semaglutide was originally developed using biological processes, but the generic versions can be made using more simple chemical means.
When a patent expires, other companies are allowed to make copies of the drug. These companies don’t have to spend as much money studying the medication, which lowers the price, according to Canada’s Drug Agency.
"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.
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