Canada Approves Its First Generic Version of Novo’s Ozempic

A pharmacist holds a box of Novo Nordisk A/S Ozempic.

Photographer: George Frey/Bloomberg

Canada has approved its first generic versions of Novo Nordisk A/S’s Ozempic, paving the way for cheaper access to the popular diabetes drugs.

On Tuesday, Health Canada assigned drug identification numbers to semaglutide injections made by India-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., according to its drug product database. Semaglutide is the main ingredient in Ozempic, and Novo’s protection against generics expired in Canada on Jan. 4.