Health Canada approves Sevmia, its first generic semaglutide for weight loss

Health Canada authorized Sevmia, a generic semaglutide injection from Canadian manufacturer Apotex, for chronic weight management, the regulator announced on June 29, 2026 ^[1]. It is the first generic semaglutide approved in Canada for weight loss and the third generic semaglutide Health Canada has authorized ^[1][2].

Sevmia is a generic version of Wegovy, the brand-name semaglutide injection sold by Denmark's Novo Nordisk ^[1][2]. Health Canada approved it for once-weekly use in patients 12 and older, as a supplement to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity ^[1]. CBC News reported the approval on June 30 ^[2], and Apotex announced it the same day ^[3].

The two earlier generic semaglutide approvals in Canada were for type 2 diabetes in adults. Health Canada said it became the first G7 country to approve a generic version of semaglutide on April 28, 2026, and approved an Apotex generic semaglutide injection for adults with type 2 diabetes on May 1, 2026 ^[1]. CBC reported that the two earlier products were generics of Ozempic from India-based Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Apotex ^[2]; Health Canada's May 1 announcement describes an Apotex submission ^[1].

Six other generic semaglutide submissions from different companies remain under review, Health Canada said, with decisions expected in the coming weeks and months ^[1][2].

Apotex said Sevmia is supplied as a multi-use pre-filled pen that delivers 1 mg doses, with 4 mg per pen (1.34 mg/mL), and was developed with Orbicular Pharmaceutical Technologies ^[3].

The two announcements describe the approved use somewhat differently. Health Canada says the indication covers patients 12 and over ^[1]. Apotex describes the approval as covering chronic weight management in adults — those with obesity (BMI of at least 30) or overweight (BMI of at least 27) with at least one weight-related condition — and adds a second use, reducing the risk of non-fatal heart attack in adults with established cardiovascular disease and a BMI of at least 27 ^[3].

Health Canada said that in Canada, many generic medicines are 45% to 90% cheaper than the brand-name versions ^[1]. Neither the regulator nor Apotex disclosed a price for Sevmia, and no launch date has been reported.

"For more than 50 years, Apotex has helped support access to affordable medicines for Canadians," said Martin Arès, president of Apotex Canada. "This approval reflects our ongoing efforts to expand access to high-quality treatment options in areas of significant and growing needs for patients." ^[3]

Why it matters for patients

This approval applies in Canada. It does not change what is available, covered or priced in the United States, and no US approval of a generic semaglutide was announced in these materials. Whether Sevmia will be sold in the US, and at what price, has not been disclosed.

For people in Canada, Health Canada said the availability of generic drugs is expected to have a positive impact, including potential cost savings for patients and the health care system ^[1]. Whether individual insurance plans will cover Sevmia, and when pharmacies will stock it, has not been reported.

A generic is not the same product as the brand-name drug in how it is manufactured, but Canada's review is meant to establish that a generic meets the same criteria for safety, efficacy and quality ^[1]. Health Canada said it will keep monitoring the safety and effectiveness of generic semaglutide products and will act if unexpected concerns arise ^[1].

These approvals cover semaglutide, the molecule in Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus. No generic version of tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) was mentioned in the announcements.

What happens next

Health Canada said it expects to make regulatory decisions on more of the six pending generic semaglutide submissions in the coming weeks and months; no specific dates were given ^[1]. No launch date or price for Sevmia has been announced ^[1][3].