Novo Nordisk and Rexall launch home delivery for semaglutide drugs
Canada has become the first G7 country to authorize generic semaglutide — and now the brand-name drugmaker is making it easier to stay on its products.
Novo Nordisk Canada and Rexall launched Novo Nordisk Care Rx on Wednesday, a home delivery service for Ozempic and Wegovy injections and Rybelsus oral tablets, available in all provinces and territories except Quebec.
The service runs through Rexall Direct, the pharmacy's online platform, and ships medications at in-store prices with no additional delivery cost.
Patients can speak with a Rexall pharmacist by phone for guidance and ongoing support.
"Customers can confidently access Ozempic and Wegovy products from a trusted pharmacy, receive personalized support and guidance from our pharmacists, and manage their care from the comfort of their own home," Rexall chief operating officer Jeff Boutilier said in a statement.
The timing is notable.
Health Canada recently approved two generic versions of semaglutide, one from India's Dr Reddy's Laboratories in April and one from Canadian company Apotex earlier this month, with seven more submissions currently under review.
Health Canada has stated that generic medications typically cost 45 to 90 percent less than brand-name equivalents.
By comparison, Ozempic currently runs $200 to $450 per month depending on the province, according to Canadian health platform Felix, while Wegovy's list price sits at roughly $5,066 per patient per year, as reported by Global News.
Beyond cost, the drugs carry a complex risk profile.
A 2023 University of British Columbia study linked GLP-1 drugs to an increased risk of stomach paralysis, pancreatitis and bowel obstruction, while a 2024 Harvard study associated them with a risk of sudden and irreversible vision loss.
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, bloating and constipation, according to the Mayo Clinic.
