Generics are powerful. Not just because they lower prices, but because their very presence changes what the entire market has to offer patients. Last week, Hims & Hers announced that generic semaglutide became available to eligible Canadians for the first time. Within days, Novo Nordisk announced that those without public or private drug coverage who choose branded Ozempic® will now pay less, bringing the cost in line with generic alternatives. That savings card is now available, and eligible Canadians can access both generic and branded semaglutide through Hims & Hers starting at $149/month.
As a physician who works with patients managing obesity and its related conditions every day, I've seen firsthand how cost can determine whether someone gets the care they need or goes without. Having both treatment options on a single platform means patients can connect with a Canadian licensed provider to make the right choice based on clinical needs and personal circumstances, not just what happens to be affordable. Choice in medicine is not a luxury. It's fundamental to good care.
This is what progress looks like. When more affordable options enter the market, the whole system responds. Choices grow, prices fall, and patients gain more access. The arrival of generic semaglutide in Canada is a catalyst. Novo Nordisk's saving’s card is early proof that change is already underway. We believe this is just the beginning of a broader shift in how GLP-1 treatments are priced and delivered across the country, and we'll keep working to make sure every Canadian has access to the care they deserve.
