When do you think the Wegovy will be accepted in Quebec? Will it be soon?

Hello,

It will depend on the company and its desire to quickly penetrate the Canadian market or not. For the moment, there is no request for authorization from Health Canada. The drug is authorized in the United States since this year. Usually, the FDA (drug approval agency in the United States) approves drugs a few years earlier than Health Canada. In addition, it can take 6 to 12 months for Health Canada to process a new drug application. However, since Wegovy's ingredient, semaglutide, is already well known and available on the Canadian market under the name Ozempic (injection), this may make it easier to market.

The difference is that Ozempic is currently indicated for the treatment of diabetes and the pen allows for the injection of a maximum of 1 mg. On the other hand, Wegovy's pen allows for the injection of a 2.4 mg dose and the company has succeeded in having it authorized only for weight loss given its very encouraging studies. It should be noted that in these studies, in addition to the drug, the persons had to submit to

a low-calorie diet and a physical activity program.

In summary, I do not expect to see Wegovy on the market within the next 2 years.

We hope to have answered your questions,

Sarah-Yan Chagnon, pharmacist