Ozempic price drop in Canada?

S

Sam2009

Well-known member
Word on the street is Ozempic might become more affordable in Canada next year when generics hit the market.

The reason for the potential price drop? Apparently, there was a missed patent maintenance payment:

"Novo Nordisk is set to lose its patent protection for both Ozempic and Wegovy in Canada due to a lapse in patent maintenance. The non-payment of a maintenance fee, said to be around $450 CAD, back in 2019 has led to the patent's expiration. This opens the door for generic manufacturers to legally produce and sell semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, potentially leading to much lower prices."

I hear there are three or four companies gearing up to produce it. If there's enough competition, we could see prices plummet from $400 a month to maybe $100 or even less.
 
Wow, that would be amazing. Here in the States, an Ozempic pen can cost a grand without insurance. Even though I'm type 2 diabetic, my insurer (you guessed it, United Healthcare) won't cover it. They'd probably prefer I just disappear and stop filing coverage requests.
 
I thought drug patents in Canada were only good for 10 years and then generics are allowed. I thought Ozempic's patent expires in 2026?
 
I'm really looking forward to this, hopefully it becomes reality in January! (Probably too hopeful).

My A1C was 6.4 when I started my semaglutide journey. I need a 6.5 to be officially diagnosed with diabetes. At the time, my doctor and I decided it was inevitable, so we started treatment early. I've had coverage for almost two years, but just received a notice that it ends in August because I'm not technically diabetic. It's frustrating for both my doctor and me because it seems silly to stop treatment, especially with my high risk factors (family history including mother, uncles, grandfather, and great uncle; gestational diabetes, insulin resistance from PCOS, etc.).

Ozempic keeps my A1C in the normal range, and I feel much better. All signs of fatty liver disease have disappeared. I don't want to stop, so I'll try paying out of pocket for a few months and then decide. Fingers crossed!
 
I recall reading something about this recently too. Currently, I pay $300 per pen in Canada for the starting dose. I'm excited to see more affordable and accessible options on the horizon.
 
Any Americans trying to get their prescriptions filled up here in Canada? I'm in Michigan, and Windsor's not too far.
 
I found a gray market place that manufactures some..a.. tirzepatide (maybe semaglutide too) in BC! They have test COAs and nearly Chinese prices so already halfway there!
 
Reta_King363 said:
I found a gray market place that manufactures some..a.. tirzepatide (maybe semaglutide too) in BC! They have test COAs and nearly Chinese prices so already halfway there!
Click to expand...

Be careful with those, quality can vary wildly.
 
I heard from a source that Ozempic only costs about $5 to manufacture. It's sickening when you see how much they charge us, especially when it's a life saving medication.
 
BurnBoss said:
I heard from a source that Ozempic only costs about $5 to manufacture. It's sickening when you see how much they charge us, especially when it's a life saving medication.
Click to expand...

That's insane! I guess that's capitalism, unfortunately.
 
I've seen some stuff saying WeightWatchers is suffering because of Ozempic. Anyone here ever have any success with WeightWatchers?
 
I had some initial success with WW but didn't stick with it long term because of their push for branded meals and scales. It felt more about the money than actually helping people. I'm so glad there are better options now.
 
I tried WW a while back. All anyone did was talk about food and then line up to buy overpriced snacks. I left feeling depressed. Ozempic actually helped me listen to my body and I never needed to talk about food!
 
half-life is shorter, easier to travel and manage during holidays. but it doesn't work as well as subq and the GI effects are usually worse. that's why there's not much buzz around it.
 
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