Semaglutide generic approvals boost access in Canada and South Africa

Aspen Pharmacare received Health Canada approval for Aspen‑Semaglutide, a generic version of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic for type‑2 diabetes. The launch in Canada will depend on the supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from India’s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, which has faced an impurity‑related production halt expected to last until at least late October.

Separately, Novo Nordisk announced the launch of Extensior, an authorised copy of Ozempic, in South Africa. The product is registered with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and will be marketed in partnership with Swiss firm Acino. Extensior uses the same semaglutide ingredient, formulation and dosing options as the branded drug and is positioned as a lower‑cost alternative to improve patient access and curb a growing grey market for compounded copies.