Generic semaglutide is not available in the United States. The core semaglutide patent listed for Ozempic in FDA’s Orange Book expires on December 5, 2031, with other listed patents running into 2032 and 2033.[1] Elsewhere, generics arrived in 2026: India after its patent expired on March 20, Canada from April 28, and Brazil from May.[5][2][6] In the US, the closest option is generic liraglutide, an older GLP-1 drug.[7][8]
For how semaglutide works and its brands, see our semaglutide profile.
Is there a generic Ozempic or Wegovy in the US?
No. Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus are sold only by Novo Nordisk in the US. Compounded semaglutide is not a generic: it is not FDA-approved, and FDA has said companies cannot market compounded products as generic versions of approved drugs.[9] See compounded semaglutide vs Ozempic for the differences.
US patent timeline
FDA’s Orange Book lists the patents drug companies say protect each product. For Ozempic (NDA 209637):[1]
| Patent type | Listed expiration |
|---|---|
| Drug substance and product (US 8,129,343, the core semaglutide patent) | December 5, 2031 |
| Other listed patents | Several dates from 2026 through 2028 |
| Latest listed patents | February 1, 2032 and June 21, 2033 |
A listed patent date is not the same as a launch date. Generic makers can challenge patents in court, settle with the brand company for an agreed entry date, or wait for expiry. Settlement terms are usually confidential, so the exact US launch date is not public.
Where generic semaglutide is available
| Country | Status in 2026 | Details |
|---|---|---|
| India | Launched | Patent expired March 20, 2026; several companies launched versions at prices expected 50% to 60% below the brand[5] |
| Canada | Approved and launched | First generic (Ozempic version) approved April 28, 2026; weight-loss version (Wegovy) approved June 29, 2026[2][4] |
| Brazil | Approved | First synthetic semaglutide pen (Ozivy) registered May 26, 2026, after the patent expired March 20[6] |
| China | Under review | Applications have been filed; we could not confirm an approval at the time of writing |
| United States | Not available | Core patent expires December 5, 2031[1] |
India
Semaglutide’s patent in India expired on March 20, 2026.[5] Companies including Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Zydus, Natco and Mankind announced versions in pens or vials. Branded semaglutide cost about ₹10,850 to ₹16,400 per month before generics, and generic versions were expected to launch 50% to 60% cheaper. One vial product was priced at ₹1,290.[5]
Canada
Health Canada approved the first generic semaglutide, from Dr. Reddy’s, on April 28, 2026, making Canada the first G7 country to do so. It is a version of Ozempic for type 2 diabetes.[2] Apotex received the second approval on May 1, 2026.[3] On June 29, 2026, Health Canada approved Sevmia, an Apotex version of Wegovy and the first generic semaglutide for chronic weight management, for people aged 12 and older.[4] At that point, six more applications were under review.[4]
Brazil
Ozempic’s patent in Brazil expired on March 20. Brazil’s regulator, Anvisa, registered Ozivy from EMS on May 26, 2026, for adults with type 2 diabetes.[6] Anvisa classified it as a synthetic semaglutide analog of a biological product rather than a generic, and said several more semaglutide products were under review.[6]
Why peptide generics take longer
Semaglutide is a peptide, a chain of amino acids, not a simple chemical like most pills. That makes generics harder to develop and review. To approve a generic, FDA must be satisfied that the copy has the same active ingredient and works the same way as the brand.
FDA has described this challenge with liraglutide, the first GLP-1 peptide to go generic. Its peptide structure required advanced testing to compare molecular structure and impurities, because small differences in a peptide copy could change how it works or trigger unwanted immune reactions.[8] FDA said its research on these methods supported both the generic Victoza and generic Saxenda approvals.[8] Similar work will apply when semaglutide generics are reviewed in the US.
What a generic would mean for patients
When generics enter a market, prices usually fall as more companies compete. Health Canada noted that many generic medicines in Canada cost 45% to 90% less than brand-name versions, though it gave no figure specific to semaglutide.[2] In India, early generic semaglutide prices were expected to be 50% to 60% below the brand at launch.[5] US prices for future generics cannot be predicted yet.
The US alternative: generic liraglutide
Liraglutide is an older GLP-1 drug from the same company, taken as a daily injection. Its generics are already FDA-approved:
- Generic Victoza (type 2 diabetes): FDA approved the first generic on December 23, 2024.[7]
- Generic Saxenda (weight management): FDA approved the first generic on August 27, 2025.[8]
Liraglutide is less effective than semaglutide. In its main weight-loss trial, liraglutide 3 mg led to 8.4 kg average loss over 56 weeks versus 2.8 kg on placebo,[11] while semaglutide 2.4 mg led to 15.3 kg over 68 weeks in STEP 1.[12] For people paying out of pocket, a generic may still be the more affordable choice. Compare the two in liraglutide vs semaglutide and see our liraglutide profile.
Lowering the cost of brand semaglutide now
Until a US generic arrives, options include insurance coverage, manufacturer savings cards and self-pay programs. See:
- Semaglutide cost
- Ozempic cost without insurance
- Wegovy cost without insurance
- Novo Nordisk patient assistance program
The semaglutide shortage ended in February 2025, so supply of the brand products is no longer limited.[10]
The bottom line
There is no generic Ozempic or Wegovy in the US, and the core patent runs to December 2031. Generic semaglutide launched in India, Canada and Brazil in 2026. In the US, generic liraglutide is the only GLP-1 available as a generic today. For tirzepatide’s timeline, see generic tirzepatide.
