Thinking of Switching to Generic Weight Loss Treatment? Here’s How It Works

You may have heard that "generic" weight loss treatment is now available in Canada. But what is a "generic" medication? How does it compare to a "branded" medication? And how could it change weight loss and weight management treatment for Canadians?

In this article we'll guide you through the key things you need to know about generic weight loss treatment, and whether you may be eligible to make the switch from branded to generic medication.

Article Summary:

• A “generic” medication is a type of drug which has been designed to be identical to an existing, brand-name drug. When the patent on a brand-name drug expires, other manufacturers can begin producing medication using the same active ingredient to treat the same condition.
• Generic medication must be therapeutically equivalent to its brand-name counterpart. This means that generic medication is as safe and effective as the brand-name medication. The main difference between generic and branded medication is often the cost.
• Generic weight loss treatment is now available in Canada, subject to eligibility. And, in most cases, switching from branded to generic weight loss treatment is straightforward. For more information, our friendly team is here to help
  

Branded vs. generic medication: naming

Many types of medication have at least two names: a "brand" name, and a "generic" name:

A "branded" or "brand-name" medication is a type of drug which has been developed and marketed by a specific pharmaceutical company. This company holds the original patent and, during the patent period, they're the only company that can market and sell the medication.

A "generic" medication is designed to be bioequivalent (therapeutically equal) to an existing branded medication. However, it's often marketed under the name of its active ingredient, rather than a brand name.

Branded vs. generic medication: development

Getting a drug authorized for distribution in Canada is a very lengthy, expensive process for a pharmaceutical company. It takes a lot of clinical trials and research before Health Canada allows a drug to become available to consumers.

Once a drug has received regulatory approval from Health Canada, the manufacturer may exclusively market its branded drug for the duration of its patent. In Canada, the patent term is 20 years. [1]

However, because drugs are patented at the time they're discovered, and it often takes a long time for a drug to be authorized, by the time the drug comes to market its manufacturer often has significantly less than 20 years left on its patent.

Once the patent on the branded drug has expired, other manufacturers are able to produce and sell the same drug as its generic version. However, they can't sell it under its branded name. That's why you'll often see generic medication being prescribed or sold under the name of its active ingredient.

This is a really common practice in the pharmaceutical industry: from painkillers to antidepressants, many branded drugs also have generic versions available. However, just as with the branded versions, there are strict quality criteria that need to be met for generic medication.

Branded vs. generic medication: ingredients

If a manufacturer wants to market a generic version of a drug, they have to prove to Health Canada that their product is therapeutically equivalent (that it contains an identical active ingredient, and is expected to produce the same clinical effect). [2] To do this, it needs to undergo "bioequivalence testing".

This means that the active ingredient in a branded drug and its generic version must be exactly the same. However, the inactive ingredients (like the binding agent) may differ. [3]

Branded vs. generic medication: side effects

Because generic drugs have to be bioequivalent to their branded equivalent, you can expect the side effects of treatment to be the same.

If you have any concerns about possible adverse drug reactions or adverse effects, speak to your healthcare provider. You can also find a full list of recorded side effects in your medication's Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). This will be provided with your treatment. You can also check its Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), which will be available online.

Branded vs. generic medication: cost

Often one of the biggest, most significant differences between branded and generic medication is the cost.

Because the manufacturers of generic drugs don't have to undergo the extensive research and clinical trials that the original manufacturer does, they're often able to pass these significant cost savings on to their customers.

That's why generic treatment may be significantly cheaper than its branded equivalent. But when it comes to branded versus generic medication, a lower cost doesn’t mean lower quality. The medicines include the same active ingredient.

Branded vs. generic medication: appearance

Another common difference between generic and branded medication is appearance. A brand-name drug's appearance (for example, the shape and colour of a tablet) may sometimes be trademarked. This means that a generic equivalent can't duplicate its appearance.

And, while the active ingredient in a generic medication must be identical to its branded equivalent, its inactive ingredients may differ. [3] That's also why a generic medication may sometimes have a different colour, size and even taste to its branded equivalent. However, this doesn't have any effect on its safety and effectiveness.

Are there any risks in switching from a branded to generic weight loss treatment?

For most people switching is straightforward because a generic medication must be therapeutically equivalent to its brand-name alternative, but speak to your prescriber about any concerns. Just like brand-name medication, generic medication is also subject to Health Canada's strict quality requirements. [4] That means generic drugs are just as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts.

However, if you're considering starting a weight loss treatment for the first time, remember that it's very common to experience adverse effects at first. These may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. [5] For more information, speak to your healthcare provider.

Am I eligible for generic weight loss treatment?

If you meet the eligibility criteria for a branded weight loss treatment, it's likely you'll also be eligible for its generic version. In Canada, there are strict and strong eligibility thresholds in place to protect consumers and ensure that weight loss treatment is being both prescribed correctly and taken responsibly.

Your eligibility will most often depend on criteria like your body mass index and, in some cases, whether you have a weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. [6]

How do I switch from branded to generic weight loss treatment?

In May 2026, Health Canada approved generic weight loss treatment for the first time, helping people to access safe, authorized medication at a significantly lower price.

Generic weight loss treatment is now available at MedExpress, subject to eligibility.* And if you're considering switching from branded to generic weight loss treatment, our friendly team is here to answer any other questions you may have.

Find out what treatment may be suitable for you with MedExpress.

*Prescriptions are discretionary and subject to a clinical assessment by a licensed Canadian healthcare practitioner. Prescriptions are dispensed by an independent pharmacy. Not all patients will qualify. Results vary. Services are not insured by any province’s public health insurance.

References

1. How long do new patented medicines have market exclusivity in Canada’s public drug plans? [Internet]. Canadian Health Policy. 2016 [cited 2026 Jun 18]. Available from: https://canadianhealthpolicy.com/product/how-long-do-new-patented-medicines-have-market-exclusivity-in-canada-s-public-drug-plans-2/
2. Qiu Y, Chen Y, Zhang GGZ, Liu L, Porter WR. Developing solid oral dosage forms : Pharmaceutical theory and practice. Amsterdam: Elsevuer; 2009.
3. Generic Drugs: Your Questions Answered | CDA-AMC [Internet]. Cda-amc.ca. 2025. Available from: https://www.cda-amc.ca/generic-drugs-your-questions-answered
4. Canada H. The Safety and Effectiveness of Generic Drugs [Internet]. aem. 2004. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/medical-information/safety-effectiveness-generic-drugs.html
5. Wharton S, Calanna S, Davies M, Dicker D, Goldman B, Lingvay I, et al. Gastrointestinal tolerability of once‐weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity, and the relationship between gastrointestinal adverse events and weight loss. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2021 Oct 4;24(1).
6. Glass J, Carter S, Artime E, Higgins V, Harrison L, Leith A, et al. Management and impact of obesity in Canada: a real-world survey of people with obesity and their physicians. Obesity Pillars. 2025 Feb 1;100171–1.