Generic Semaglutide Arrives: A New Opening for Access

As patents on semaglutide expire in several countries, regulators are approving the first generic and lower cost versions of one of the most widely used medicines for type 2 diabetes. For millions of people for whom the branded product has been out of reach, this shift could matter a great deal, provided that savings reach patients.

In Brazil, the national regulator Anvisa approved Owozy, developed by Adalvo with Sandoz, for type 2 diabetes on 29 July 2026. Sandoz values the Brazilian market at about US$1.8 billion and expects to launch in the second half of 2026. On 17 August, Anvisa registered a product from EMS as the country's first official generic semaglutide.

In Canada, Health Canada approved Aspen Semaglutide on 22 July, with launch timing dependent on the supply of active ingredient, and Sandoz Semaglutide pens on 18 September. Sandoz estimates that Canadians use nearly 12 million GLP1 pens each year and notes that six million Canadians live with diabetes. These decisions follow the first Canadian generic approvals in April and May 2026.

In South Africa, the regulator SAHPRA approved Sun Pharma's generic semaglutide pens for type 2 diabetes in July, making South Africa the company's second market for the product after India. Shortly afterwards, Novo Nordisk and Acino announced Extensior, a lower cost version of Ozempic, which they planned to launch in South Africa on 27 July.

None of the sources reviewed for this edition reported launch prices. Whether these approvals improve access will depend on pricing, public reimbursement and supply, decisions that rest largely with governments and on which parliamentarians can hold them to account.