Generic Semaglutide Coming to Online Pharmacy

The introduction of a generic semaglutide is complicated by a web of patents in the United States. While some patents for the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy are expiring in other countries, the core patents in the U.S. are not expected to expire until December 2031. Further patents on the drugs' formulations and delivery devices could extend this exclusivity into the late 2030s or even 2040 for specific products like Wegovy. Given the long patent protection in the U.S., any "generic" semaglutide offered by online pharmacies is likely one of two things: a compounded drug or an "authorized generic." Compounded drugs are custom-made by pharmacies, are not FDA-approved, and may have different ingredients or dosages. The FDA has warned about the safety and effectiveness of these versions, as some have been found to contain different forms of semaglutide that have not been proven safe. An "authorized generic," on the other hand, is the exact same drug as the brand-name product, made by the original manufacturer but sold without the brand name at a lower price. This allows manufacturers to compete with generic products once they enter the market and can be a way to offer a lower-cost version before patent expiration. In a move to address the high cost of its brand-name drugs, Novo Nordisk has announced it will lower the U.S. list price of Ozempic and Wegovy to $675 per month, effective January 1, 2027. This represents a price cut of approximately 35% for Ozempic and 50% for Wegovy from their previous list prices. The high demand and cost for semaglutide have also led to a significant number of illegal online pharmacies selling the product. A study found that a large percentage of online pharmacies selling semaglutide do so illegally, without a valid license or prescription.