TORONTO — Major Canadian supermarket chains are reporting robust sales growth in their pharmacy divisions, primarily driven by the surging popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications and semaglutides. Demand for drugs like Ozempic, originally prescribed to treat diabetes, has skyrocketed in recent years.
Leading Canadian retail giants such as Loblaw Companies Ltd. and Metro Inc. recorded sales increases of up to 40% for GLP-1 medications in their pharmacy segments over recent quarters. Following this surge, Health Canada authorized generic versions of semaglutide injection, making Canada the first G7 country to approve generic alternatives for the drug.
Market experts anticipate that the introduction of generic semaglutide will lower costs and significantly broaden consumer access. Previously restricted largely to higher-income buyers due to cost, these medications are expected to see massive market expansion in the coming years. Estimates indicate that roughly 8% of the Canadian population currently uses GLP-1 medications.
In response to this rapid market expansion, major supermarket chains are planning to expand their physical pharmacy footprint while rolling out specialized dietary plans and health services tailored specifically for customers using weight-loss medications.
