Latest news with #ObesityCanada
15-07-2025
- Health
Canadians could get more affordable version of Ozempic in early 2026. Here's how
Cheaper versions of medications to treat obesity, like Ozempic and Wegovy, could be on the market in Canada as soon as January. Ozempic is a social media darling — with celebrities singing its praises and people posting about major weight loss. But a patient can pay $400 a month for such medications, says Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, Obesity Canada's scientific director and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He says his patients have been frustrated and disappointed by the prohibitive cost. But now, several companies say they intend to market cheaper versions of such drugs. Here's what medical experts say: What are these medications? Injectable prescription drugs, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, and the pill Rybelsus all contain the ingredient semaglutide. This class of medication, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1s), regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. Health Canada previously approved Ozempic to treat diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss. Nearly 33 per cent of Canadians (10.6 million people) were obese (new window) in 2023, according to a recent study. How much could the price come down? Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, will effectively lose its price protection on those drugs in Canada in January, opening the door to generic versions. Mina Tadrous, an associate professor who evaluates pharmaceutical prices at the University of Toronto, says three or four companies have them in development or are starting the paperwork. Tadrous says the number of companies affects pricing. The classic framework is that if you only have one, it comes down from the list price to 75 per cent, Tadrous said. If we have two, it goes down to 50 per cent and if we have three it hits 25 per cent. Three manufacturers could bring the price down to $100 from $400 for the same strength of semaglutide product, Tadrous estimates. Have the generic medications been approved? Not yet. Health Canada needs to consider each company's application to make and sell generic versions of the injectable medication, known as a biosimilar. Since they won't require new clinical trials, they could be available within weeks of Health Canada's approval — grandfathered in, based on the original trials, says Sockalingam. It's really about the equivalency of the medication in terms of its availability in the body and its metabolism. Will insurance cover them? Semaglutide is already listed (new window) on the Ontario drug formulary — a list of publicly covered medications for those over age 65, people living in long-term care homes, and for people receiving Ontario Works or disability payments. That means as soon as a generic form is available, those on public drug insurance plans could switch to it, and private insurance plans like those offered by employers likely will do the same, Tadrous says. Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta, a professor of medicine at McGill University and a researcher, says this would be good news for people who have excess weight and resulting complications but who can't currently afford the branded medications. Generic versions will open the door for many more people, Dasgupta said. Mina Tadrous says if there are three manufacturers of generic semaglutide in Canada, it could bring the price down to $100. Photo: CBC / Craig Chivers What's involved in taking these medications? Dasgupta says it's important for people taking semaglutide to have it prescribed by a physician and then monitored. We should be insisting on having publicly accessible good diet and physical activity supports because we live in a society where people are gaining more and more weight, Dasgupta said. In England, for example, semaglutide is recommended with at least 13 hours of counselling on diet and physical activity. What about drug shortages? Because some medications also treat Type 2 diabetes, doctors and health-care policy experts continue to watch supply chains to prevent shortages. Dr. Harpreet Bajaj, an endocrinologist with LMC Healthcare in Brampton, Ont., recalls many times when patients with diabetes had to go off Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications because none was available. Having a biosimilar, which is made by an entirely new pharmaceutical company and maybe … made in a more cost-effective way would also relieve some pressures on any future shortages that we might expect, Bajaj said. Dasgupta, who also treats diabetes, said in her experience in Quebec, sometimes the medication is more accessible through the province's publicly funded plan for those who fulfil the medical criteria than through some private insurers that focus more strongly on cost. Amina Zafar (new window) · CBC News · Journalist Amina Zafar covers medical sciences and health care for CBC. She contributes to CBC Health's Second Opinion, which won silver for best editorial newsletter at the 2024 Digital Publishing Awards. She holds an undergraduate degree in environmental science and a master's in journalism.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Canadians could get more affordable version of Ozempic in early 2026. Here's how
Cheaper versions of medications to treat obesity, like Ozempic and Wegovy, could be on the market in Canada as soon as January. Ozempic is a social media darling — with celebrities singing its praises and people posting about major weight loss. But a patient can pay $400 a month for such medications, says Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, Obesity Canada's scientific director and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He says his patients have been frustrated and disappointed by the "prohibitive" cost. But now, several companies say they intend to market cheaper versions of such drugs. Here's what medical experts say: What are these medications? Injectable prescription drugs, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, and the pill Rybelsus all contain the ingredient semaglutide. This class of medication, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1s), regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. Health Canada previously approved Ozempic to treat diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss. Nearly 33 per cent of Canadians (10.6 million people) were obese in 2023, according to a recent study. How much could the price come down? Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, will effectively lose its price protection on those drugs in Canada in January, opening the door to generic versions. Mina Tadrous, an associate professor who evaluates pharmaceutical prices at the University of Toronto, says three or four companies have them in development or are starting the paperwork. Tadrous says the number of companies affects pricing. "The classic framework is that if you only have one, it comes down from the list price to 75 per cent," Tadrous said. "If we have two, it goes down to 50 per cent and if we have three it hits 25 per cent." Three manufacturers could bring the price down to $100 from $400 for the same strength of semaglutide product, Tadrous estimates. Have the generic medications been approved? Not yet. Health Canada needs to consider each company's application to make and sell generic versions of the injectable medication, known as a biosimilar. Since they won't require new clinical trials, they could be available within weeks of Health Canada's approval — "grandfathered" in, based on the original trials, says Sockalingam. "It's really about the equivalency of the medication in terms of its availability in the body and its metabolism." Will insurance cover them? Semaglutide is already listed on the Ontario drug formulary — a list of publicly covered medications for those over age 65, people living in long-term care homes, and for people receiving Ontario Works or disability payments. That means as soon as a generic form is available, those on public drug insurance plans could switch to it, and private insurance plans like those offered by employers likely will do the same, Tadrous says. Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta, a professor of medicine at McGill University and a researcher, says this would be good news for people who have excess weight and resulting complications but who can't currently afford the branded medications. Generic versions will "open the door for many more people," Dasgupta said. What's involved in taking these medications? Dasgupta says it's important for people taking semaglutide to have it prescribed by a physician and then monitored. "We should be insisting on having publicly accessible good diet and physical activity supports because we live in a society where people are gaining more and more weight," Dasgupta said. In England, for example, semaglutide is recommended with at least 13 hours of counselling on diet and physical activity. What about drug shortages? Because some medications also treat Type 2 diabetes, doctors and health-care policy experts continue to watch supply chains to prevent shortages. Dr. Harpreet Bajaj, an endocrinologist with LMC Healthcare in Brampton, Ont., recalls many times when patients with diabetes had to go off Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications because none was available. "Having a biosimilar, which is made by an entirely new pharmaceutical company and maybe … made in a more cost-effective way would also relieve some pressures on any future shortages that we might expect," Bajaj said. Dasgupta, who also treats diabetes, said in her experience in Quebec, sometimes the medication is more accessible through the province's publicly funded plan for those who fulfil the medical criteria than through some private insurers that focus more strongly on cost.
CBC
15-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Canadians could get more affordable version of Ozempic in early 2026. Here's how
Social Sharing Cheaper versions of medications to treat obesity, like Ozempic and Wegovy, could be on the market in Canada as soon as January. Ozempic is a social media darling — with celebrities singing its praises and people posting about major weight loss. But a patient can pay $400 a month for such medications, says Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, Obesity Canada's scientific director and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He says his patients have been frustrated and disappointed by the "prohibitive" cost. But now, several companies say they intend to market cheaper versions of such drugs. Here's what medical experts say: What are these medications? Injectable prescription drugs, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, and the pill Rybelsus all contain the ingredient semaglutide. This class of medication, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1s), regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. Health Canada previously approved Ozempic to treat diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss. Nearly 33 per cent of Canadians (10.6 million people) were obese in 2023, according to a recent study. How much could the price come down? Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, will effectively lose its price protection on those drugs in Canada in January, opening the door to generic versions. Mina Tadrous, an associate professor who evaluates pharmaceutical prices at the University of Toronto, says three or four companies have them in development or are starting the paperwork. Tadrous says the number of companies affects pricing. "The classic framework is that if you only have one, it comes down from the list price to 75 per cent," Tadrous said. "If we have two, it goes down to 50 per cent and if we have three it hits 25 per cent." Three manufacturers could bring the price down to $100 from $400 for the same strength of semaglutide product, Tadrous estimates. Have the generic medications been approved? Not yet. Health Canada needs to consider each company's application to make and sell generic versions of the injectable medication, known as a biosimilar. Since they won't require new clinical trials, they could be available within weeks of Health Canada's approval — "grandfathered" in, based on the original trials, says Sockalingam. "It's really about the equivalency of the medication in terms of its availability in the body and its metabolism." Will insurance cover them? Semaglutide is already listed on the Ontario drug formulary — a list of publicly covered medications for those over age 65, people living in long-term care homes, and for people receiving Ontario Works or disability payments. That means as soon as a generic form is available, those on public drug insurance plans could switch to it, and private insurance plans like those offered by employers likely will do the same, Tadrous says. Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta, a professor of medicine at McGill University and a researcher, says this would be good news for people who have excess weight and resulting complications but who can't currently afford the branded medications. Generic versions will "open the door for many more people," Dasgupta said. What's involved in taking these medications? Dasgupta says it's important for people taking semaglutide to have it prescribed by a physician and then monitored. "We should be insisting on having publicly accessible good diet and physical activity supports because we live in a society where people are gaining more and more weight," Dasgupta said. In England, for example, semaglutide is recommended with at least 13 hours of counselling on diet and physical activity. What about drug shortages? Because some medications also treat Type 2 diabetes, doctors and health-care policy experts continue to watch supply chains to prevent shortages. Dr. Harpreet Bajaj, an endocrinologist with LMC Healthcare in Brampton, Ont., recalls many times when patients with diabetes had to go off Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications because none was available. "Having a biosimilar, which is made by an entirely new pharmaceutical company and maybe … made in a more cost-effective way would also relieve some pressures on any future shortages that we might expect," Bajaj said. Dasgupta, who also treats diabetes, said in her experience in Quebec, sometimes the medication is more accessible through the province's publicly funded plan for those who fulfil the medical criteria than through some private insurers that focus more strongly on cost.
Globe and Mail
23-06-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Obesity: Costs and impacts in Canada
Event summary produced by The Globe and Mail Events team. The Globe's editorial department was not involved. Socio-economic status, gender disparities, and regional differences often shape the prevalence and outcomes of obesity. These factors, combined with the stigmas directed at those living with obesity, makes managing what is increasingly viewed as a chronic disease even more challenging. On June 19, 2025 The Globe and Mail hosted an event where experts discussed how treating obesity as a chronic disease can prevent a range of other health conditions and reduce costs to Canada's economy long term. Speakers: Hans Krueger, President of H. Krueger & Associates Inc.; Adjunct Professor at the UBC School of Population and Public Health Lisa Schaffer, Executive Director, Obesity Canada Dr. Megha Poddar, MD, FRCPC, ABOM; Endocrinology & Metabolism, Obesity Medicine; Medical Director, Medical Weight Management Centre of Canada; Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct), McMaster University André Picard, Health Reporter and Columnist, The Globe and Mail (moderator) The Globe and Mail presented the event with sponsor support from Obesity Canada and Eli Lilly Canada.
CBC
30-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Diabetes Canada stresses it doesn't endorse medical products after ads suggest otherwise
Diabetes Canada says it's received a surge in reports from people who've seen ads for or bought products that use the charity's logos without authorization. Since January, Diabetes Canada says it's had over 300 calls to its 1-800 line and emails from people reporting misleading advertisements for diabetes products that have the charity's logo. Diabetes Canada isn't the only organization being affected. Products ranging from purported medications and supplements to devices that claim to be blood glucose monitors are also carrying the logos of Obesity Canada and Health Canada. Some of the groups say they want the ads taken down and social media companies are doing that, but new ads keep appearing. A class of injectable medications known as GLP-1 agonists, sold in Canada under the brand name Ozempic and Wegovy are approved to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, respectively. These drugs need to be administered by doctors and distributed by pharmacists. They are also not endorsed by Diabetes Canada, Obesity Canada or Health Canada. Some of the misleading ads are for products that doctors say are not effective but mimic the names of these more recognizable medications. These include GLP-1 oral drops, said Laura Syron, the president and CEO of Diabetes Canada. "They're certainly not endorsed by us," Syron said on Thursday. "We do not endorse any medical health product." Doctors say it's important for people who live with diabetes to get accurate blood sugar readings. That's why Syron recommends anyone considering changing their medication, trying a new treatment or getting a new monitoring device talk to their health-care provider first. The organization said some ads falsely claim the organization will also offer patients a subsidy. Use of logo created sense of trust Joel Snitman, 81, of Thornhill, Ont., has Type 2 diabetes and checks his blood sugar levels at least once a week. Snitman said he saw a Facebook ad for a product with a photo identifying it as a glucose monitor. He said he trusted it because the ad showed Diabetes Canada's logo. "This gadget offered to do it without sticking a needle in your finger," Snitman recalled. "I thought I would give it a shot." The product turned out to be an oximeter, a device used to measure blood oxygen levels, not blood sugar. Snitman contacted Diabetes Canada, saying he felt he got sucked in by seeing their logo on the ad. He said he wasn't able to find the name of the manufacturer or retailer beyond a series of consonants. He emailed the delivery company and asked them if they knew their client. The answer was no. Similarly, Syron said Diabetes Canada found it difficult to get in touch with anyone at the company. CBC News was also unable to contact the company. Concerns about delayed treatment Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta, a physician, scientist and professor of medicine at McGill University, says there are no drops or patches that would give a similar effect to GLP-1 medications, which need to be administered by doctors and distributed by pharmacists. "Those products, the GLP-1 patches and drops, they're just trying to … join the enthusiasm and kind of, I would say madness, surrounding these medications that certainly can enhance weight reduction and can improve blood sugar control in diabetes," Dasgupta said from Halifax. Her concern is that if someone with diabetes uses the drops or patches, it could delay or prevent them from receiving proper medical care. Talia Wiebe, director of marketing and communications at Obesity Canada, says the organization is aware of a company fraudulently using Obesity Canada's name, logo and an image of its founder, Dr. Arya Sharma, to promote an unregulated supplement called HHVB GLP-1 Moringa Slimming & Health Boost Drops. Obesity Canada tried to find the supplement maker without success. "We are working with our legal team to hopefully reach out to them and cease and desist and have these products taken down," Wiebe said. Diabetes Canada says it has reached out to various social media platforms where the ads using their logo have appeared and reported the issue to Health Canada. "All medical devices authorized for use in Canada are listed in the Medical Devices Active Licence Listing database," a spokesperson for Health Canada said. A search of Remifa or Briskix, the product and seller of Snitman's purchase, did not yield any results. Syron added another challenge is that when one ad disappears, another quickly pops up. A spokesperson for Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said Friday that it has removed the ad from its platforms and is continuing to investigate. Meta says its policies prohibit content that "defrauds people by promoting false or misleading health claims, including those related to weight loss, and we remove this kind of content when we become aware of it." Meta also notes that the challenge spans platforms, industries and communities, which is why it works with law enforcement, regulators and private industry to combat scams. "We continue to invest resources and further improve our enforcement on this kind of content," the spokesperson said.
