Health Canada has approved a generic version of Wegovy, a semaglutide drug that's prescribed to help people lose weight.
The weekly injection is known as Svemia from the Canadian company Apotex and is pharmaceutically equivalent to weight-loss medication Wegovy from Denmark's Novo Nordisk.
Health Canada says Svemia can be prescribed to people 12 years of age and over, as a supplement to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management.
It's the third generic semaglutide medication approved by the department, though the first two were authorized for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in adults.
Generic versions of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic by India-based Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Apotex were approved earlier this year.
Health Canada says it's reviewing six other submissions for generic semaglutide from different companies and expects to make more decisions in the coming weeks and months.
"The availability of generic drugs is expected to have a positive impact in Canada, including potential cost savings for patients and the health-care system," the federal agency said in a news release Monday.
Picture Courtesy: AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File
